hat in hand

Idioms  

1. Also, cap in hand. In a humble manner. For example, They went to her, hat in hand, asking for a change of assignment. This expression alludes to removing one's headgear as a sign of respect and has survived the era of doffing one's hat. [c. 1700]

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Example Sentences

But what caused Milei to go hat in hand to the U.S. in the first place?

From Salon

Brad Karp, the head of the firm, went, hat in hand, to the Oval Office and lit a match to the firm’s reputation.

From Slate

“Look where we are now, where he comes hat in hand to Mar-a-Lago.”

From Seattle Times

“It wasn’t easy to kind of come hat in hand, so to speak, and say ‘This is something I need help with.’

From Seattle Times

Before the holidays, President Zelensky came to Washington, hat in hand, hoping to secure the passage of a bill that would send $60 billion of aid his way, a renewal of full support.

From Slate