Kowtow: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Kowtow verb. To behave too humbly or obediently towards someone in power.
How to say it
kow-TOW/kaʊˈtaʊ/
2 syllables, stressed on the second (TOW).
Kowtow in a sentence
He refused to kowtow to the investors, and they pulled out.
Newspapers that kowtow to their advertisers soon lose their readers' trust.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- grovel
- bow
- toady
- defer
Opposite:
- defy
- stand up to
Where kowtow comes from
From Chinese kētóu, knocking the head: bowing so low that the forehead touched the ground.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Newspapers that _____ to their advertisers soon lose their readers' trust.
- kowtow
- haggle
- kvetch
Show the answer
kowtow: Newspapers that kowtow to their advertisers soon lose their readers' trust.