curtsy to

curtsy to (one)

To bow before one in a show of respect or deference. I curtsied to the headmistress when she handed me my diploma.
See also: curtsy
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

curtsy to someone

[for a woman] to dip or bow in deference to someone. Of course, I curtsied to the queen! Do you think I'm an anarchist? The little girls curtsied after they did their dance number.
See also: curtsy
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • curtsy
  • curtsy to (one)
  • bow down
  • bow down to (someone)
  • kowtow
  • kowtow to
  • kowtow to (someone or something)
  • grovel about in (something)
  • revere (someone or something) for (something)
  • revere for
References in classic literature
There was hardly a bedroom in the house where feminine compliments were not passing and feminine toilettes going forward, in various stages, in space made scanty by extra beds spread upon the floor; and Miss Nancy, as she entered the Blue Room, had to make her little formal curtsy to a group of six.
When Prince Charles takes the throne and Prince William becomes the Prince of Wales, Kate Middleton will take the title "Princess of Wales." Although the shake-up in the line of succession will not happen unless Queen Elizabeth dies, many royal followers already wonder if Meghan Markle will have to curtsy to Kate when she adopts her new title.
PRINCESSES Beatrice and Eugenie have to curtsy to Princesses Kate and Meghan if Prince William and Prince Harry are present.
His wife, Kate Middleton, who was standing beside him, made a perfect curtsy to Her Majesty.
Royal biographer, Andrew Morton, has revealed Meghan will have to curtsy to Kate when she becomes queen
Her stunning Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos gown didn't stop her from making a very low curtsy to the Queen.
A prime minister is only required to curtsy to the monarch and her consort.
"This was a girl who was a gender equality advocate for the United Nations - having to bow and curtsy to the queen and even (her future sister-in-law) Kate Middleton in private occasions."
"We built Curtsy to provide a great experience for college students.
Maybe Barry is uptight because Alex didn't curtsy to Her Majesty ?
But Williams refused to confirm whether she would, as protocol dictates, curtsy to the Queen if she was scheduled to play on Centre Court during her visit.
Until 2003 protocol dictated that players should bow or curtsy to the royal box before games began, but this was dropped at the request of the Duke of Kent, the president of the All England Club.
As regards it not being acceptable to bow or curtsy to anyone, in this modern day it is people like you who object to showing respect to anyone.
Well how about a rare pat-on-the-back over claims in a new book that the Royal Family loathe her because she's republican, anti-hunting, allergic to corgis and won't curtsy to the Queen.
While we continue to bow and curtsy to Mrs Windsor, and while there is a social divide wedged open by Mrs Windsor, we will never have a democracy.