Originally, 'bow down to' meant a literal physical bow, deeply bending one's body to show respect.

Physical Gesture

The act of bowing down can vary between cultures; in some, it's a common greeting or sign of respect.

Cultural Practice

This phrase is often used figuratively to mean showing deference or submission without an actual bow.

'Bow down to' can indicate recognition or acceptance of someone's higher status or power.

The phrase can appear in contexts of resistance, where not bowing down is an act of defiance.

Commonly used when someone is pressured by peers or society to conform to certain expectations.

The phrase can suggest an exaggerated or inappropriate level of admiration towards someone.

Unlike the first definition, 'bow down to' here need not refer to any physical action, but an attitude.