顶礼膜拜
dǐng lǐ mó bài
to prostrate oneself in worship; (fig.) to worship blindly
Character by character
顶dǐng
head
head
礼lǐ
salute
salute
膜mó
raised-hands
raised-hands
拜bài
bow
bow
Example
对名人说的每一句话都顶礼膜拜，这不是尊重，是盲目。
Bowing down before every word a celebrity says is not respect; it is blind worship.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
From two old rites of worship: 顶礼, the Buddhist bow touching one’s head to the feet of the one revered, and 膜拜, raising the hands to the brow and kneeling to bow. Of real worship in a temple it is neutral; of people, ideas or brands it is critical: 对权威顶礼膜拜.
Learn this in Lesson 245 · HSK 9+: 妈祖 (Mazu, goddess of the sea)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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