kowtow
To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the groundTo kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.
» Latinos can't promote themselves gracefully, kowtowing to others!
Meaning
3 senses(historical, intransitive)To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.
einen Kotau machen
де́лать коуто́уdélatʹ koutóu
(figuratively, intransitive)To grovel, act in a very submissive manner; to show obeisance to (someone or something) in such a manner; to bow.
kriechen, kuschen, katzbuckeln
преклоня́тьсяpreklonjátʹsja, пресмыка́тьсяpresmykátʹsja, раболе́пствоватьrabolépstvovatʹ
bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
(intransitive)To bow very deeply.
де́лать ни́зкий покло́нdélatʹ nízkij poklón
бити чоломbyty čolom, вклонятисяvklonjatysja
Examples
2 sentencesLatinos can't promote themselves gracefully, kowtowing to others!
Stop kowtowing to China!
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 3
By meaning 2
Origin
From either Cantonese 叩頭 /叩头 (kau³ tau⁴) or Mandarin 叩頭 /叩头 (kòutóu). Literally, “knock heFrom either Cantonese 叩頭 /叩头 (kau³ tau⁴) or Mandarin 叩頭 /叩头 (kòutóu). Literally, “knock head”.
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Forms
kowtows, kowtowing, kowtowed, kowtowedSynonyms
8 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle