kowtow
音标: /ˈkaʊˌtaʊ/
词性: 动词

1. 释义

kowtow 作为动词，原指在中国古代对帝王表示极度的敬意或屈从的礼节，即“叩头”或“叩拜”。后来，词义扩展为“极度屈服、顺从或过分讨好”。

2. 用法

在现代英语中，“kowtow”常带有贬义，用于形容某人过度谄媚、完全屈从或没有尊严地迎合他人。

该词通常用于表示对权威的过度顺从，或者毫无原则的讨好行为。

3. 例句

He refused to kowtow to the demands of the corrupt officials.
（他拒绝向那些腐败官员的要求屈服。）

She was criticized for kowtowing to the powerful CEO.
（她因过度讨好那位有权势的首席执行官而受到批评。）

The diplomats were expected to kowtow to the demands of the foreign leaders.
（这些外交官们被期望迎合外国领导人的要求。）

He kowtowed to the public's expectations, even though he disagreed with them.
（尽管他不同意公众的期望，他还是迎合了这些期望。）

Some believe that the company’s management kowtows too much to its investors.
（有人认为该公司管理层过于迎合投资者的利益。）

She had no intention of kowtowing to anyone, no matter how powerful they were.
（她没有任何向任何人屈服的打算，不管他们多么有权势。）

The government was accused of kowtowing to foreign pressure on human rights issues.
（政府被指责在涉及人权问题时对外国压力屈服。）

Rather than kowtowing to public opinion, the leader took a bold stand.
（这位领导人并没有迎合公众意见，而是采取了大胆的立场。）

The monarch was accustomed to having everyone kowtow before him.
（这位君主习惯了每个人在他面前叩头。）

Instead of kowtowing to their requests, he stood his ground and refused.
（他没有屈从于他们的请求，而是坚持自己的立场，拒绝了。）

4. 短语搭配

kowtow to: 屈从于、迎合
例如：She refuses to kowtow to anyone.

kowtow before: 在…面前叩头
例如：The citizens were forced to kowtow before the emperor.

kowtow to authority: 向权威屈服
例如：Many believe that students should not be forced to kowtow to authority figures.

5. 词源

“kowtow”源自中文“叩头”（kòu tóu），这一行为在中国古代是对君主或上级表示极大敬意的礼仪。