on bended knee
In supplicant posture
On bended knee describes the posture of kneeling, typically on one knee, as a gesture of humility, supplication, or reverence.
The phrase appears most often in proposals of marriage He asked her to marry him on bended knee and in contexts of pleading or begging I came to you on bended knee, and you refused.
The archaic "bended" rather than "bent" gives the expression a formal, almost ceremonial quality.
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- marriage proposalOffer of matrimony
- bowingBending forward in deference
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- humble servantDeferential aide or helper
plea · heartfelt apology · prayer · beseeching · penitence · act of contrition · genuflecting · submission · earnestness · reverence · sincerity · entreaty · supplication · stooping · capitulation · fealty · sworn oath · knighthood
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
on bended kneestanding tall
Remaining proudly upright
upright · erect · towering · ramrod straight · head held high
on bended kneelording over
Behaving as master
condescending · imperious · haughty · domineering · high and mighty
on bended kneedemanding
Requiring great effort
defiantly · unapologetically · assertively · boldly · confidently
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