Kowtow
verb
To behave very respectfully toward someone with higher power, doing what they say even if you don't want to.
The young prince needed to kowtow to the king, even when he disagreed with him.
Often appears as...
- kowtow to authority
- kowtow to demands
verb
To bow deeply, with the forehead touching the ground. It is a traditional Chinese act of respect.
He kowtowed three times before the emperor as a sign of his respect.
Often appears as...
- kowtow before the emperor
- kowtow in respect
verb
To behave very respectfully toward someone with higher power, doing what they say even if you don't want to.
The young prince needed to kowtow to the king, even when he disagreed with him.
Often appears as...
- kowtow to authority
- kowtow to demands
verb
To bow deeply, with the forehead touching the ground. It is a traditional Chinese act of respect.
He kowtowed three times before the emperor as a sign of his respect.
Often appears as...
- kowtow before the emperor
- kowtow in respect
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
Use 'kowtow' to describe actions that show excessive submission to someone with higher status or power.
The staff had to kowtow to the CEO's unreasonable demands to keep their jobs.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Kowtow' often implies a lack of dignity or self-respect when showing deference to authority.
He refused to kowtow to the board's outdated policies.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be mindful that using 'kowtow' as a metaphor may be seen as culturally insensitive in some contexts.
In international meetings, avoid saying diplomats 'kowtow to' foreign policies.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
Use 'kowtow' to describe actions that show excessive submission to someone with higher status or power.
The staff had to kowtow to the CEO's unreasonable demands to keep their jobs.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Kowtow' often implies a lack of dignity or self-respect when showing deference to authority.
He refused to kowtow to the board's outdated policies.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be mindful that using 'kowtow' as a metaphor may be seen as culturally insensitive in some contexts.
In international meetings, avoid saying diplomats 'kowtow to' foreign policies.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
Use 'kowtow' to describe actions that show excessive submission to someone with higher status or power.
The staff had to kowtow to the CEO's unreasonable demands to keep their jobs.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Kowtow' often implies a lack of dignity or self-respect when showing deference to authority.
He refused to kowtow to the board's outdated policies.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Be mindful that using 'kowtow' as a metaphor may be seen as culturally insensitive in some contexts.
In international meetings, avoid saying diplomats 'kowtow to' foreign policies.
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Video examples
Einstein's Escape from...
and the rise of fascism. And a big part of our story is-- is he going to stay in Germany? Is he going to leave? And it becomes an immigration story. I will not kowtow to police. And I will not sit by and wait for fascists to kill my husband.
Video examples
Einstein's Escape from...
and the rise of fascism. And a big part of our story is-- is he going to stay in Germany? Is he going to leave? And it becomes an immigration story. I will not kowtow to police. And I will not sit by and wait for fascists to kill my husband.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Ronen Bergman
Israeli Journalist
A country, people, and society are in a sorry state when the guardians of its democratic values and the rule of law are the officers of the armed forces who are forced to stand up to the mob and the politicians who incite it and kowtow to it.
Quote examples
Eric Bischoff
American Businessman
You no longer have to have a big record label behind you and have to kowtow to the politics that enabled you to get there. You can be a phenomenal artist and put your stuff out there on YouTube and find yourself becoming a star.
Quote examples
Norman Ornstein
American Educator
The best way to get your audience larger and more consistent is to be more divisive and more radical and criticize those who cater to or kowtow to other forces.
Quote examples
James Haskell
English Athlete
As a player you have to look after your body because no one else will. I'd rather be proactive than kowtow to everyone and be injured all the time.
Quote examples
Zach Galifianakis
American Actor
A good stand-up, you lead the audience. You don't kowtow to the audience. Sometimes the audience is wrong. I always think the audience is wrong.
Quote examples
Ben Hecht
American Writer
The rule in the art world is: you cater to the masses or you kowtow to the elite; you can't have both.
Quote examples
Ronen Bergman
Israeli Journalist
A country, people, and society are in a sorry state when the guardians of its democratic values and the rule of law are the officers of the armed forces who are forced to stand up to the mob and the politicians who incite it and kowtow to it.
Quote examples
Eric Bischoff
American Businessman
You no longer have to have a big record label behind you and have to kowtow to the politics that enabled you to get there. You can be a phenomenal artist and put your stuff out there on YouTube and find yourself becoming a star.
Quote examples
Norman Ornstein
American Educator
The best way to get your audience larger and more consistent is to be more divisive and more radical and criticize those who cater to or kowtow to other forces.
Quote examples
James Haskell
English Athlete
As a player you have to look after your body because no one else will. I'd rather be proactive than kowtow to everyone and be injured all the time.
Quote examples
Zach Galifianakis
American Actor
A good stand-up, you lead the audience. You don't kowtow to the audience. Sometimes the audience is wrong. I always think the audience is wrong.
Quote examples
Ben Hecht
American Writer
The rule in the art world is: you cater to the masses or you kowtow to the elite; you can't have both.
Example 1 of 6
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