on bended knee

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

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 Bended , the past tense of bend , survives only in this idiom, elsewhere having been replaced by bent .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]

Word of the Day

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

on behalf of onboard

Browse