touch one's forelock

present singular third person touches one's forelock · participle present touching one's forelock · participle past touched one's forelock · past touched one's forelock

1. Synonym of tug one's forelock.

   Mr. Hempseed, touching his forelock, was quietly vacating the seat in the hearth. Everyone was staring curiously, yet deferentially, at the foreigners.

   1905, Emma Orczy, chapter III, in The Scarlet Pimpernel

   1 more example

   The villagers in the congregation touched their forelocks as the Oxenfords made their way down the aisle to the family pew. The wealthier farmers, all of whom rented their land from Father, inclined their heads in polite bows; and the middle classes, Dr. Brown and Colonel Smythe and Sir Alfred, nodded respectfully.

   1991, Ken Follett, chapter 2, in Night Over Water

   Synonyms: tug one's forelock