grovel
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grovel
To interact with someone in an overtly agreeable or deferential manner. Well, if your mother's mad at me, I guess I'm going to have to grovel—we want this family dinner to be pleasant, after all. Come, we must grovel before the king. Why do I have to grovel to the owner to get the money I know I'm worth?
grovel about in (something)
To show one's respect or deference by lying down on the ground in some specific substance. I won't grovel about in filth for anyone! Come, we must grovel about in the mud as the king's chariot passes. She's not my queen, and I refuse to grovel about in the snow for some pretender!
See also: grovel
grovel before (someone)
To interact with someone in an overtly agreeable or deferential manner. The phrase can also specifically refer to the act of prostration. Well, if your mother's mad at me, I guess I'm going to have to grovel before her—we want this family dinner to be pleasant, after all. Get down and grovel before your king. Why do I have to grovel before the owner to get the money I know I'm worth?
grovel in (something)
1. To interact with someone in an overtly agreeable or deferential manner, usually with a particular aim (indicated after "in"). Well, if your mother's mad at me, I guess I'm going to have to grovel in apology—we want this family dinner to be pleasant, after all. If it would save my life, I would certainly grovel in pleas of devotion to the royal family! I don't care how impressive their résumé is—I refuse to grovel in concessions to any potential employee!
2. To show one's respect or deference by lying down on the ground in some specific substance. I won't grovel in filth for anyone! Come on, stop groveling in the dirt. Have a little more self-respect than that. She's not my queen, and I refuse to grovel about in the snow for some pretender!
See also: grovel
grovel to (someone)
To interact with someone in an overtly agreeable or deferential manner. It can also refer specifically to the act of kneeling or prostration. Well, if your mother's mad at me, I guess I'm going to have to grovel to her—we want this family dinner to be pleasant, after all. Get down and grovel to your king! Why do I have to grovel to the owner to get the money I know I'm worth?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
grovel (about) in something
to wallow around in the dirt, etc., while prostrating oneself. The poor fellow groveled about in the mud, trying to keep from being beaten. Why are you there, groveling in the dust?
See also: grovel
grovel before someone or something
to prostrate oneself before someone or something. The prisoner groveled before his accusers. The peasant groveled before the lord of the manor.
grovel to someone
to kneel in deference to someone; to kowtow to someone. You don't have to grovel to me! I refuse to grovel to anyone.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
grovel
(ˈgrɑvlæ) in. to fondle or pet. They spent the whole time in the backseat groveling.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.