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Meaning of tug one's forelock | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C1

Definitions

To show deference or obsequious respect.

idiomatic, intransitive

Equivalents

Polski bić pokłony

Examples

“These students were quite capable of tugging their forelocks while raising two fingers behind their backs (Newby, 1977), i.e. producing deferential behaviour as part of a more complicated game of manipulation.”
“"Aw, lay⟳ off, will you? It's part of my job, you know⟳ that." "Yeah, bowing and scraping and tugging your forelock to all those rich old crones. Somebody's chauffeur probably got a scratch⟳ on the El Dorado, huh?"”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

tugged tugged at someone's heart strings tugged at someone's heartstrings tugged one's forelock tugging tugging at someone's heart strings

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