take a bow

/ˈteɪk ə ˈbaʊ/

verb

To bow (gesture of deference).

“The years we spent together were the worst years of my life. You can take a bow.”

Opposite
make one's bow
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Meanings

verbtake a bow (third-person singular simple present takes a bow, present participle taking a bow, simple past took a bow, past participle taken a bow)

present singular third person takes a bow · participle present taking a bow · past took a bow · participle past taken a bow

  1. To bow (gesture of deference).
  2. idiomaticTo accept praise, as performers in a theater at the end of their act.
  3. idiomaticTo end a performance; to leave.
  4. idiomaticsarcasticTo take credit or blame for a particular outcome or circumstance.

    The years we spent together were the worst years of my life. You can take a bow.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
make one's bow

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 谢幕
  • 谢幕 (xièmù)to accept applause at the end of a performance
German sich verbeugen, Applaus am ende einer Vorstellung akzeptieren
  • sich verbeugento accept applause at the end of a performance
  • Applaus am ende einer Vorstellung akzeptierento accept applause at the end of a performance
Hungarian meghajol
  • meghajolto accept applause at the end of a performance
Italian inchinarsi, fare un inchino
  • inchinarsito accept applause at the end of a performance
  • fare un inchinoto accept applause at the end of a performance
Polish kłaniać się
  • kłaniać sięto accept applause at the end of a performance
Cite this entry
APA

take a bow. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20bow

MLA

“take a bow.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20bow. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “take a bow,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20bow.

Source: take a bow on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.