a deep bow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deep bow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gesture of respect or submission, often in a formal or ceremonial context. Example: "As a sign of gratitude, she took a deep bow before the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Mr. Yanai finished with a deep bow toward the island.

The New York Times

"Omatase shimashita," I say, with a deep bow ("I am sorry to have kept you waiting").

The Economist

Hollywood took a deep bow before The King's Speech yesterday, awarding it 12 Academy Award nominations.

The Guardian - Film

12. LAURA BECK, left, and MERRITT BECK of Texas, doing a deep bow on stage.

The New York Times

When it was over, she took a deep bow to the enthusiastic applause of her audience.

The New York Times

Walter Kirn, not those others, came up with Ryan Bingham and he can take a deep bow.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In a meeting with Yoshio Mochizuki, a vice minister in the foreign ministry who was visiting from Tokyo, Commander Waddle, who was dressed in a business suit and was alone, made a traditional deep bow and said a few words in Japanese.

The New York Times

The ceremony was preceded by a private apology that ended with a long, deep bow from the Mitsubishi representatives.

Vice

With a figurative deep bow to Matsui, Granderson noted that the Yankees' designated hitter setup was different this year, not mostly Matsui, as it was in 2009.

The New York Times - Sports

Of all the national and international figures present, the new prime minister alone seemed not to know how to perform a customary deep bow.

The New York Times

Ms. Brown no longer performs (although when she took a graceful deep bow at the end, it looked as if dancing would have been no trouble), and the solo was performed by the tall and elegant Leah Morrison.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a deep bow" when you want to emphasize the sincerity and respect behind the bowing gesture, especially in formal or culturally significant contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a deep bow" casually if you are unfamiliar with the cultural implications of bowing in certain societies, as it may be misinterpreted or considered disrespectful if not performed correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deep bow" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., "gave a deep bow", "took a deep bow") or as a subject complement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Huffington Post

9%

The New Yorker

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a deep bow" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a gesture of respect or apology. As Ludwig points out, it is commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. The phrase suggests a sincere and often culturally significant display of deference. While Ludwig AI confirms that it is considered correct, it's essential to be mindful of the specific cultural implications to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a low bow

Focuses on the physical depth of the bow, synonymous with "deep".

a full bow

Emphasizes the completeness of the bowing action.

a respectful bow

Replaces "deep" with "respectful", focusing on the intention behind the gesture.

a reverent bow

Emphasizes the feeling of deep respect or awe conveyed by the bow.

a profound obeisance

Uses a more formal and less common word for bow, emphasizing reverence.

a ceremonial bow

Highlights the formal and ritualistic aspect of the bow.

a sign of respect

Similar to "gesture of deference" but more direct.

a gesture of deference

Replaces the specific action with a general expression of respect.

a curtsy

Similar gesture to a bow, but traditionally performed by women.

an expression of gratitude

Shifts the focus to the feeling being conveyed rather than the physical act.

FAQs

How to use "a deep bow" in a sentence?

You can use "a deep bow" to describe a gesture of respect or apology, as in "He gave "a deep bow" to the emperor" or "She offered "a deep bow" as an expression of gratitude".

What can I say instead of "a deep bow"?

You can use alternatives like "a respectful bow", "a low bow", or "a gesture of deference depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a deep bow" or "a deeply bow"?

"A deep bow" is correct because "deep" is an adjective describing the noun "bow". "Deeply" is an adverb and would be used to modify a verb, not a noun. For example, you might say "He bowed deeply".

What is the difference between "a deep bow" and "a slight bow"?

"A deep bow" signifies a greater level of respect, apology, or gratitude, involving a more pronounced bending of the body. "A slight bow" is a more casual or perfunctory gesture.