bow down phrasal verb (see also bow)

1. to bend your body forward, especially when you are already kneeling, in order to show respect
bow down before/to etc
Maria bowed down before the statue.
Come, let us bow down in worship.

2. bow down to somebody literary to let someone give you orders or tell you what to do – used to show disapproval

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

bow down
bow down (to (someone/something))
to obey someone or something.
The old man expects me to bow down to him, but I won't do it.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bow down (= to show obedience or respect by bending the head down or the body forward)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲