bowed and scraped
Acted servile publicly
Bowed and scraped describes exaggerated, servile deference—the kind of fawning behavior that combines physical gestures of submission with verbal flattery.
The phrase evokes old-fashioned courtly gestures: bowing deeply while drawing one foot back along the floor.
It's almost always used critically, suggesting the deference is excessive or insincere: The staff bowed and scraped whenever the CEO walked through.
- curtsyingFormal feminine bow
- flatteringExcessively praising, often insincerely
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- kowtowingSubmissive display of respect
- courtly mannersFormal aristocratic etiquette
kneeling · on bended knee · bending the knee · obsequiousness · humble servant · self-effacement · genuflecting · ingratiation · fawning · prostrating · sycophancy · pandering · hand-kissing · cap in hand · hat in hand · saluting · deference · toadying
bowed and scrapeddefied
Openly resisted authority
rebelled · talked back · stood one's ground · stood up to · resisted
bowed and scrapedlorded over
Exercised haughty authority
strutted · swaggered · put on airs · looked down one's nose · condescended
bowed, bows, bowing, scrape, scraped, scrapes, scraping, scraper, scrapers