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zu Kreuze kriechen — meaning in English

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English meaning

  • kowtow verb To kneel and bow so low that the forehead touches the ground, as a sign of deep respect or submission.

Senses

zu Kreuze kriechen is used for these senses in English:

  • eat crow (chiefly, US, idiomatic) To recognize that one has been shown to be mistaken or outdone, especially by admitting that one has made a humiliating error.
  • eat humble pie (idiomatic, intransitive) To admit one's faults; to make a humiliating apology.
  • kowtow (figuratively) To grovel, act in a very submissive manner; to show obeisance to (someone or something) in such a manner; to bow.

kowtow — full definition

  1. verb To kneel and bow so low that the forehead touches the ground, as a sign of deep respect or submission.
  2. verb To act in an excessively submissive or obedient way toward someone.
  3. noun The act of kowtowing.

Related German words