kneel down

kneel down

1. Literally, to go down on one or both of one's knees in front of someone or something, a gesture of obedience, subservience, loyalty, or respect. The knight knelt down in the presence of the king. Several people were kneeling down in prayer when I entered the church.
2. To be in a position of weakness, subservience, or vulnerability. If they think that their economic sanctions can make our country kneel down, then they've got another think coming!
See also: down, kneel

kneel down before (someone or something)

To show devotion, loyalty, or subservience to someone or something. A reference to the act of physically kneeling in front of someone or something, a sign of such loyalty and subservience. The monarch wants the entire continent to kneel before him. This protest is to show the government that we will never kneel before it. Everyone complains about their loss of privacy while simultaneously kneeling before the altar of technology and social media.
See also: before, down, kneel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

kneel down (before someone or something)

to show respect by getting down on one's knees in the presence of someone or something. We were told to kneel down in front of the altar. Kneel down when the queen enters!
See also: down, kneel

kneel down

to get down on one's knees. Please kneel down and fold your hands. You should at least kneel down and be quiet.
See also: down, kneel
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • kneel
  • kneel before (someone or something)
  • kneel down before (someone or something)
  • knelt
  • on (one's) hands and knees
  • on your hands and knees
  • up to (one's) knees
  • up to knees
  • up to one’s knees
  • prostrate
References in periodicals archive
The video is from a private school in Surajpur's Datima, wherein a Sanskrit teacher punishes her students for not doing their homework by making them kneel down on the floor and say the phrase 'I am a donkey'.
C'garh: As punishment, teacher makes students kneel down, say 'I am a donkey'
Bhavani was compelled to kneel down before the Uva Chief Minister, threatening her and obtaining a statement.
HRC conducts extensive inquiry in to forcing female principal to kneel down
July 30, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Saturday has pledged to destroy what he described as "institutions of injustice" saying he wouldn't kneel down to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Sudanese president vows not to kneel down to the ICC
Yung anak niya kailangan magluhod din sa tabi niya at yung asawa (niya), he told reporters here, adding the entire family should kneel down and pray until Election Day.
Poll front-runner Duterte advises Binay: Kneel down and pray
Can you just kneel down here on the floor?' I was like OK.
Light aVirgin; RITA ORA MADE TO KNEEL BEFORE HER IDOL MADGE... SO SHE DIDN'T BLOCK HER LIGHTING
"We kneel down before the poor we have ignored," CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas was quoted as saying in a pastoral exhortation.
Kneel before poor people
Or when they kneel down and try to talk at 'my level.'.
Teenager launches campaign to change attitudes to disability
Summary: Sudan President says decision came about because of 'people's refusal to be humiliated and to kneel down.'
Bashir declares victory after suspension of Darfur probe
"So all the persecution by the government is actually aimed at making people kneel down and apologize?" he asked.
Arync's remarks suggest July 22 operation was arbitrary
Be fore that there is the quietly funky opener, Kneel Down, with a low, tight bass and drum sound underpinning the anthem-like piano melody, the slow rock of Winterlude which places the drums in the lead spot, and a classical meets pop ballad thing called Bryce.
Jazz; RELEASES
When he walked into the Lincoln, he did indeed come and kneel down and we had an affectionate re-acquaintance.
'All Is Lost' -- but not for Robert Redford who triumphs at sea
There is a place called Calvary, you can take your burdens there Take your every problem - Take your every care It won't take long to get there, it isn't very far You don't need public transport, and you don't need a car Just go into your bedroom and there kneel down in prayer It is there you will meet with Jesus, the friend who is always there And if you listen closely you will hear that still small voice So soft and sweet and gentle, it will make your heart rejoice It was at this place called Calvary where Jesus bled and died He suffered untold agony when he was crucified So take a moment to reflect and I'm sure that you will see The cross where Jesus Christ was nailed at the place called Calvary.
Your Poem; CALVARY
Last week, another play Kneel Down , to be staged by the students of NSD, had to be cancelled under pressure from saffron outfits.
' Anti- national' play faces BJP's high drama in MP
Recalling the statements of Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, who said that Turks would kneel down in Yerevan, Bagis said that Sargsian went beyond the limits.
Turkey's EU minister: no one has the courage to kneel Turks down