Definition
点头哈腰 is a four-character idiom that literally means 'nod head, bend waist' but figuratively describes someone acting overly deferential or sycophantic — bowing and scraping to please someone in authority. It carries a negative connotation of insincere flattery. You can use it to criticize someone who is too eager to please their boss or a superior.
f.e.
to bow and scrapeto be obsequiousto fawn over someone
Examples
- 点头哈腰，。Tā zài lǎobǎn miànqián zǒngshì diǎn tóu hā yāo, ràng rén kàn le hěn bù shūfu.He's always bowing and scraping in front of the boss, which makes people uncomfortable.
- 点头哈腰，。Nàge guānyuán shēnbiān wéi zhe yì qún diǎn tóu hā yāo de rén, zhēn ràng rén fǎngǎn.That official is surrounded by a bunch of sycophants — it's really off-putting.
- ，点头哈腰，。Tā wèile shēngzhí, zhěngtiān duì lǐngdǎo diǎn tóu hā yāo, shīqù le zìjǐ de zūnyán.In order to get promoted, he fawns over his leaders all day, losing his own dignity.
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