Phrase guide

bend the knee

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To swear fealty or allegiance to another person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To submit to or show reverence toward a divine power.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To show undue deference, obedience, or support for someone or something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Calque of Latin genūflectō. Popularized by its use on the television series Game of Thrones (2011-2019).

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: ajupir-se — submit to another's authority
  • Catalan: agemolir-se — submit to another's authority
  • Chinese Mandarin: 順從 /顺从 (shùncóng) — submit to another's authority
  • Chinese Mandarin: 卑躬屈膝 (bēigōng-qūxī) — submit to another's authority
  • Finnish: polvistua — submit to another's authority
  • French: courber l'échine — submit to another's authority
  • French: se soumettre — submit to another's authority
  • Ancient Greek: γόνυ κάμπτω (gónu kámptō) — submit to another's authority
  • Japanese: 膝を屈する (hiza o kussuru) — submit to another's authority
  • Latin: genūflectō — submit to another's authority
  • Polish: iść na pasku — submit to another's authority
  • Swedish: böja knä — submit to another's authority