"Brings to knees" is an idiomatic expression used to depict the act of subduing, overwhelming, or defeating someone or something to the point of total submission or defeat. It conveys the image of reducing a person, organization, or entity to a state of powerlessness or helplessness, unable to stand or resist any longer.
This phrase commonly refers to situations where a dominant force or circumstance exerts such a level of pressure, influence, or devastation that its target or victim is compelled to succumb or yield. Metaphorically, the subject is forcefully brought down to a subservient position, as if on their knees, symbolizing their surrender or defeat.
When used in a figurative sense, "brings to knees" usually implies the existence of an exceptionally strong adversary, such as a crisis, an oppressive regime, an overwhelming problem, or an insurmountable obstacle. It suggests that the force opposing the target is so intense or overwhelming that it results in their eventual downfall, loss of power, or complete surrender. The phrase can be employed in various contexts, including personal, professional, or societal scenarios, to describe situations where one side's dominance or power ultimately crushes and subjugates the other side, leaving them in a weakened or subservient state.
