Prostrate oneself is a phrase used to describe a gesture of submission or respect. It can be replaced with several synonyms such as bow, kneel, grovel, and genuflect. Bowing is typically done by lowering one's head and upper body. Kneeling involves lowering the entire body onto one or both knees. Groveling suggests a more extreme gesture of submission, and may involve lying face down on the ground. Genuflecting is a form of kneeling done specifically in religious contexts, where one kneels on one knee and bows the head. All of these words convey a sense of humility and deference, but may differ in their intensity or cultural implications.