prostrate oneself before
prostrate (oneself) before (someone or something)
To lie down in a supplicatory position of obedience, submission, respect, or fealty to someone or something. I will never bow to you—I only prostrate myself before God. The only thing you can do is prostrate yourself before her and beg for her forgiveness.
See also: before, prostrate
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
prostrate oneself before someone or something
1. Lit. to lay oneself out in respect or obedience in front of someone or something. The members of the cult prostrated themselves before their leader. They prostrated themselves before the altar.
2. Fig. to submit to someone's dominance. If you think I'm going to prostrate my self before you and do as you ask, you are wrong. I will not prostrate myself before the high council!
See also: before, prostrate
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- prostrate
- prostrate (oneself) before (someone or something)
- kneel
- kneel before (someone or something)
- kneel down
- kneel down before (someone or something)
- knelt
- fall on (one's) knees
- fall on knees
- fall to (one's) knees