Meaning of hat in hand | Babel Free

Definitions

With humility; in an apologetic or self-effacing fashion.

idiomatic, not-comparable

Equivalents

Examples

“Hat in hand, the sailors stood deferentially in a semicircle before him.”

“"D'you think the proud English corporations are going to let you inside? Not them. The most you'll get will be the scraps that fall from their table, my poor Lazarus, and for these you'll have to go hat in hand to Dives."”

“Turkish leaders are accustomed to visiting Europe with hat in hand, seeking to make compromises.”

“But the Americans should also not expect Mr Xi to be arriving hat in hand and eager to please.Many believe mutual suspicion will endure and the two leaders will not likely remove existing trade and economic roadblocks put up in the name of national security.”

CEFR level