Bow and scrape

Pro Tip 1/3

Excessive Flattery

Using 'bow and scrape' implies that someone is behaving too eagerly to please or flatter someone else.

She didn't get that promotion by skill alone; she had to bow and scrape to the director.

Pro Tip 2/3

Power Dynamics

The phrase often suggests a relationship where one person is much more powerful or authoritative.

Employees often feel pressured to bow and scrape to their CEOs in order to keep their jobs.

Pro Tip 3/3

Negative Impression

It can leave a negative impression of the person doing it, implying weakness or subservience.

At the meeting, he bowed and scraped so much that he lost the respect of his colleagues.