on bended knee


on bended knee

Submissively and with dramatic earnestness. We have to remain strong in the eyes of the world. We cannot beg on bended knee for help from our allies. Do what you like, but don't come to me on bended knee looking for help when things go wrong.See also: bended, knee, on

on bended knee

kneeling, as in supplication. (The verb form is obsolescent and occurs now only in this phrase.) Do you expect me to come to you on bended knee and ask you for forgiveness? The suitors came on bended knee and begged the attention of the princess.See also: bended, knee, on

on bended knee

Humbly, pleading, as in They're desperate for funds; they're asking for contributions on bended knee. This expression alludes to a traditional attitude of supplication. Bended, the past tense of bend, survives only in this idiom, elsewhere having been replaced by bent. [Mid-1600s] See also: bended, knee, on

on bended knee

If someone asks for something on bended knee, they ask for it in a strong and urgent way, showing a lot of respect to the person they are asking. Film-makers are having to go on bended knee to funders. He begged them on bended knee to cross the river so that both armies could fight side by side. Note: You can also say that someone goes down on their knees to ask for something. He would be looking for co-operation, not charity. He would not be going down on his knees to beg.See also: bended, knee, on

on bended knee

kneeling, especially when pleading or showing great respect. Bended was the original past participle of bend , but in Middle English it was superseded in general use by bent . It is now archaic and survives only in this phrase.See also: bended, knee, on

on bended ˈknee(s)

kneeling to ask for something or to pray: He went down on bended knee and asked her to marry him.See also: bended, knee, on

on bended knee

On one's knee or knees, as in supplication or submission.See also: bended, knee, on