低声下气

低声下气

Literally means:

speak humbly and under one's breath

Actually means:

be meek and subservient

It describes one's humbleness in front of someone else and his fear of offending the latter. It may also mean that he dare not speak loudly or confidently, even when he is in the right. It often indicates that such an act is contemptible. Derogatory.

形容态度恭顺小心，生怕冒犯人家，或说话不敢大声，甚至有理的时候也不敢理直气壮地说话。多有让人看不起的意味。具有贬义色彩。