touch the hem of someone's garment

Definitions

To give respect or reverence to someone; to express servitude to someone; to draw strength or comfort from someone who is superior.

idiomatic

Examples

“Thus, at peace with God and the world, the farmer of Grand-Pré Lived on his sunny farm, and Evangeline governed his household. Many a youth, as he knelt in the church and opened his missal, Fixed his eyes upon her, as the saint of his deepest devotion; Happy was he who might touch⟳ her hand or the hem of her garment!”

“"I do love⟳ you," he said with a strong effort to control⟳ himself, "but I am not worthy to touch⟳ the hem of your garment."”

“President Clinton is due at Brooklyn College. . . . "If he just wants to cut⟳ a ribbon or let⟳ us touch⟳ the hem of his garment, we don't need⟳ that."”

“Nelson Mandela . . . can bathe in the adulation of a worldwide throng yearning to, if not touch⟳ the hem of his garment, at least catch⟳ a glimpse of him whirring by in a motorcade.”

CEFR level