kowtow
英 [ˌkaʊˈtaʊ]
美 [ˌkaʊˈtaʊ]
v. 叩头; 磕头; 卑躬屈膝; 唯命是从
现在分词:kowtowing 过去式:kowtowed 第三人称单数:kowtows 过去分词:kowtowed
BNC.35359 / COCA.27978
牛津词典
verb
- 叩头;磕头;卑躬屈膝;唯命是从
to show sb in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey them
柯林斯词典
- VERB 叩头;磕头;卑躬屈膝;唯命是从
If you say that someonekowtows tosomeone else, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to obey or be polite to someone in authority.- See how stupidly they kow-tow to persons higher in the hierarchy.
瞧他们对上级唯命是从的样子是多么愚蠢啊。
- See how stupidly they kow-tow to persons higher in the hierarchy.
英英释义
noun
- a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
verb
- try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
- He is always kowtowing to his boss
- bend the knees and bow in a servile manner