Wednesday, 6 July 2011

What is the meaning of `kowtow’? How is it pronounced?

The first syllable is pronounced like the word `cow’ and the second rhymes with `cow’, `how’, and `now’. When you `kowtow’ to someone, you are very eager to please the individual in power. You do whatever he asks you to do. The word is used to show disapproval.

 *Poor Indu. All that kowtowing didn’t help her get the promotion. *One thing that I don’t want you to do is to kowtow to those in power.

 Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, December 26, 2005

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