kowtow

/'kau'tau/ Cách viết khác : (kotow) /'kau'tau/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
kowtow

He performed a deep kowtow before the emperor.

Definition

  1. Verb:

    • To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deep respect, submission, or worship, especially in historical Chinese custom.
    • To act in an extremely submissive or obsequious way in order to gain favor or avoid conflict.

  2. Noun:

    • The act of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground in submission or reverence.
Usage

  • Verb:

    • Historically, subjects were required to kowtow before the emperor.
    • He refused to kowtow to the unreasonable demands of the corrupt official.
    • She is tired of having to kowtow to her arrogant manager just to keep her job.

  • Noun:

    • The ambassador's kowtow was a formal gesture of respect to the host nation's traditions.
    • His constant flattery was nothing more than a symbolic kowtow to authority.
Advanced Usage
  • "to kowtow to someone/something": This is the most common construction, meaning to show excessive, servile deference to a person, authority, or set of rules.
    • The regime forces its citizens to kowtow to its ideology.
    • True leaders inspire; they do not demand that people kowtow to them.
Variants and Related Words
  • Kowtowing (gerund/noun): The act of performing a kowtow or behaving obsequiously.
    • His constant kowtowing was embarrassing to watch.
Synonyms
  • Verb: Grovel, fawn, toady, bow and scrape, prostrate oneself.
  • Noun: Obeisance, prostration, homage.
Related Phrases
  • Prostrate oneself: To lie stretched out on the ground face downward, especially in reverence or submission. (This is a physical action similar to a kowtow but does not specify the forehead touching the ground.)
  • Bow and scrape: To behave in a servile, obsequious manner, with exaggerated bows. (This is an idiomatic phrase with a similar figurative meaning.)
Idioms
  • "To give a mental kowtow": (Figurative) To show extreme deference in one's thoughts or attitudes, even if not physically.
    • In his mind, he gave a mental kowtow to the professor's superior knowledge.
kowtow

He performed a deep kowtow before the emperor.

Noun
  1. a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
Verb
  1. try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
    • He is always kowtowing to his boss
  2. bend the knees and bow in a servile manner

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