Bring somebody to their knees
phrase
To cause someone to fall or be in a weak, defeated, or subservient position.
The economic crisis could bring the government to its knees.
Often appears as...
- pandemic brought nations to their knees
- inflation will bring economy to its knees
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
To cause someone to feel deeply emotional and often moved to tears.
The movie's tragic ending brought me to my knees.
Often appears as...
- music that brings you to your knees
- the passage of time brought her to her knees
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To cause someone to fall or be in a weak, defeated, or subservient position.
The economic crisis could bring the government to its knees.
Often appears as...
- pandemic brought nations to their knees
- inflation will bring economy to its knees
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
To cause someone to feel deeply emotional and often moved to tears.
The movie's tragic ending brought me to my knees.
Often appears as...
- music that brings you to your knees
- the passage of time brought her to her knees
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
The phrase often describes a non-physical defeat or submission, not an actual person falling down.
The relentless competition brought the company to its knees.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity of Situation
It implies a very difficult or desperate situation that's hard to recover from.
Sanctions have brought the nation's economy to its knees.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Expression
Used informally, more common in spoken language or narrative styles.
After hours of negotiations, the workers' strike brought the city to its knees.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
The phrase often describes a non-physical defeat or submission, not an actual person falling down.
The relentless competition brought the company to its knees.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity of Situation
It implies a very difficult or desperate situation that's hard to recover from.
Sanctions have brought the nation's economy to its knees.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Expression
Used informally, more common in spoken language or narrative styles.
After hours of negotiations, the workers' strike brought the city to its knees.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
The phrase often describes a non-physical defeat or submission, not an actual person falling down.
The relentless competition brought the company to its knees.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity of Situation
It implies a very difficult or desperate situation that's hard to recover from.
Sanctions have brought the nation's economy to its knees.
Pro Tip 3/3Colloquial Expression
Used informally, more common in spoken language or narrative styles.
After hours of negotiations, the workers' strike brought the city to its knees.
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