For most of the last century-ever since the last emperor left the forbidden city-the nation that invented kowtowing has set aside the habit except for moments of unusual gravity or emotional significance .
To drop the case would risk looking as if he were kowtowing to berlin .
如果放弃,德古赫特将冒着被扣上“向德国人卑躬屈膝”帽子的风险。
The republicans accuse him of apologising for america and kowtowing to its rivals .
共和党人指责他为美国道歉并且向自己的对手卑躬屈膝。
Mr. li 's struggle to open his songtangzhai museum is a tortured tale that involved five years of kowtowing , cajoling and a " gift " of 148 prized items to the culture ministry .