on one's knees

Definitions

1. Kneeling, begging or as if begging.
   not-comparable
2. On the verge of collapse; at the mercy of someone.
   figuratively, not-comparable

Equivalents

Examples

“For god’s love⟳ do not turn⟳ away—if you have⟳ knowledge. We suppli­ants implore you on our knees.”

“Hungry Berbatov then converted a Giggs cross for his third before Nani slotted a fifth with Birmingham on their knees.”

“The accepted view⟳ is that at the end⟳ of hostilities in 1945, the railways were on their knees.”

““We will not live⟳ on our knees, and you shouldn’t either,” he said.”

CEFR level