bended

beg on bended knee

To beg or plead for something submissively and with dramatic earnestness. Refers to kneeling before someone from whom one must beg for mercy or favor. After five years, I'm ready to beg on bended knee for a promotion. We have to remain strong in the eyes of the world. We cannot beg on bended knee for help from our allies.
See also: beg, bended, knee, on

on bended knee

Submissively and with dramatic earnestness. We have to remain strong in the eyes of the world. We cannot beg on bended knee for help from our allies. Do what you like, but don't come to me on bended knee looking for help when things go wrong.
See also: bended, knee, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on bended knee

kneeling, as in supplication. (The verb form is obsolescent and occurs now only in this phrase.) Do you expect me to come to you on bended knee and ask you for forgiveness? The suitors came on bended knee and begged the attention of the princess.
See also: bended, knee, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

on bended knee

Humbly, pleading, as in They're desperate for funds; they're asking for contributions on bended knee. This expression alludes to a traditional attitude of supplication. Bended, the past tense of bend, survives only in this idiom, elsewhere having been replaced by bent. [Mid-1600s]
See also: bended, knee, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

on bended knee

If someone asks for something on bended knee, they ask for it in a strong and urgent way, showing a lot of respect to the person they are asking. Film-makers are having to go on bended knee to funders. He begged them on bended knee to cross the river so that both armies could fight side by side. Note: You can also say that someone goes down on their knees to ask for something. He would be looking for co-operation, not charity. He would not be going down on his knees to beg.
See also: bended, knee, on
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

on bended knee

kneeling, especially when pleading or showing great respect.
Bended was the original past participle of bend , but in Middle English it was superseded in general use by bent . It is now archaic and survives only in this phrase.
See also: bended, knee, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on bended ˈknee(s)

kneeling to ask for something or to pray: He went down on bended knee and asked her to marry him.
See also: bended, knee, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on bended knee

On one's knee or knees, as in supplication or submission.
See also: bended, knee, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • beg on bended knee
  • beg (something) from (someone)
  • beg from
  • on bended knee
  • beg pardon
  • place (oneself) at (someone's) mercy
  • beg
  • I beg your pardon, but (something)
  • beg your pardon, but
  • entreat (one) to (do something)
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