bow before (someone)
To obey, pledge allegiance, or submit one's will to someone, especially in a reverential or servile manner. My allegiance is to my own country; I'll never bow before you! The autocratic CEO all but makes his employees bow before him.
bow before someone or something
1. Lit. to bend or curtsy in respect to someone or something. I will not bow before any king or queen. Henry insisted that I bow before him.
2. Fig. to submit to someone or something; to surrender to someone or something. Our country will never bow before a dictator's demands. We will not bow before such a corrupt politician.