hat in hand
Meekly requesting something
Hat in hand describes approaching someone humbly, usually to ask for something—a favor, forgiveness, or help.
The image is of someone removing their hat as a gesture of deference or supplication: He came back hat in hand, asking for his old job.
The phrase often implies reluctant submission after earlier pride or independence.
Unassuming about oneself
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- meekHumbly unassertive
- unassumingNot making claims
modest · self-effacing · sheepish · penitent · subdued · lowly · timid · bashful
Earnest desperate requesting
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
- beseechingUrgently pleading for something
- entreatyEarnest, urgent request
supplication · appeal · petition · solicitation · grovel · importune · request · asking
Acknowledging a wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- regretSorrow over past actions
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
repentance · amends · confession · penitence · mea culpa · sorry · forgiveness · reconciliation
Regard with honor
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- obeisanceGesture of reverence
homage · tribute · salute · esteem · regard · kowtow · bow · genuflect
Cease resistance, yield
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- yieldingBending under pressure
- concessionYielding a point
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
compliance · deference · relenting · backing down · giving in · caving · bending · prostration
humble
Unassuming about oneself
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- meekHumbly unassertive
unassuming · modest · self-effacing · sheepish · penitent · subdued · lowly · timid · bashful · diffident
begging
Earnest desperate requesting
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
- beseechingUrgently pleading for something
entreaty · supplication · appeal · petition · solicitation · grovel · importune · request · asking · seeking
apologizing
Acknowledging a wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- regretSorrow over past actions
atonement · repentance · amends · confession · penitence · mea culpa · sorry · forgiveness · reconciliation · acknowledgment
respect
Regard with honor
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
obeisance · homage · tribute · salute · esteem · regard · kowtow · bow · genuflect · veneration
surrender
Cease resistance, yield
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- yieldingBending under pressure
- concessionYielding a point
acquiescence · compliance · deference · relenting · backing down · giving in · caving · bending · prostration · resignation
- clothing idiomsfit like a glove, dressed to the nines, dressed to kill, wear the pants, caught with pants down
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
hat in handdemanding
Requiring great effort
high and mighty · imperiously · arrogantly · entitled · haughtily
hat in handcalling the shots
Being the one deciding
holding all the cards · in the driver's seat · laying down the law · from on high · with authority
hat, hand, hats, hatted, hatless, hatter, hands, handed, handing