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- Dictionarykowtow/ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/
verb
- 1. act in an excessively subservient manner: "she didn't have to kowtow to a boss" Similar
- 2. kneel and touch the ground with the forehead in worship or submission as part of Chinese custom. historical Similar
noun
- 1. an act of kowtowing as part of Chinese custom. historical
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to show too much respect to someone in authority, always doing what you are told and changing what you do in order to please them: He has never kowtowed to the mainstream, but has remained true to his convictions. They were accused of kowtowing to a corrupt government. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Physical gestures of respect.
The meaning of KOWTOW is to show obsequious deference : fawn. How to use kowtow in a sentence. Did you know?
A kowtow / ˈ k aʊ t aʊ / is the act of deep respect shown by prostration, that is, kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. In Sinospheric culture, the kowtow is the highest sign of reverence.
verb (used without object) to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom.
to show too much respect to someone in authority, always doing what you are told and changing what you do in order to please them: He has never kowtowed to the mainstream, but has remained true to his convictions. They were accused of kowtowing to a corrupt government. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Physical gestures of respect.
verb. If you say that someone kowtows to someone else, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to obey or be polite to someone in authority. [informal, disapproval] See how stupidly they kow-tow to persons higher in the hierarchy. [VERB + to] [ Also VERB] More Synonyms of kowtow. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.
Kowtow, which describes the act of kneeling and touching one’s head to the ground to show respect, used to be a custom in Chinese culture. Now it refers to acting like you're doing that, whether you actually bow or not.
kowtow (to somebody/something) to show somebody in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey them. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to kowtow to anyone.
1. to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference. 2. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, respect, etc., esp. in former Chinese custom. n. 3. the act of kowtowing. [1795–1805; < Chinese kòutóu literally, knock (one's) head] kow′tow′er, n.
Jun 2, 2024 · kowtow (third-person singular simple present kowtows, present participle kowtowing, simple past and past participle kowtowed) ( intransitive , figuratively ) To grovel , act in a very submissive manner.
