to lower one's head and bend one's back; used to describe a submissive or fawning attitude when flattering those in power

Refusing to compromise one's integrity or dignity for a meager salary or minor material gain; used to describe a person of high character who is indifferent to fame and wealth.

(allusion to the poet [[陶潜|陶潛|tao2 qian2]]) to bow and scrape for five pecks of rice; to swallow one's pride or compromise one's values for a small material gain or a low-paying job