bends the knee
Genuflects in deference
Bends the knee means to kneel in submission or allegiance, literally or figuratively.
The phrase evokes feudal imagery—a subject kneeling before a monarch: He refused to bend the knee to the new king.
In modern use, it often describes capitulating to pressure or acknowledging someone's superiority: The company finally bent the knee to public opinion.
- bow downBend body in deference
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- bowingBending forward in deference
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- prostratingLying flat in submission
homage · obeisance · genuflecting · kowtow · allegiance · reverence · yielding · give in · back down · submission · supplication · subservience · concession · vassalage · kiss the ring · stooping · crouching · humility
bends the kneerebels
Armed opposition fighters
resists · rises up · stands tall · defies · revolts
bends the kneedisrespects
Shows lack of regard
scorns · mocks · desecrates · insults · snubs
bend, bends, bent, bending, bendable, bender, knee, knees, kneed