prostrating oneself; lying flat like a flat spider
Describes the act of pressing oneself flat to the ground in apology, supplication, or fear, likening the posture to a flattened spider. Often used with verbs like 謝る or 許しを請う.
He prostrated himself and apologized.
He lay flat on the floor like a flat spider and begged for forgiveness.
The expression literally means 'like a flat spider' (平蜘蛛), referring to a spider pressed flat. It is a fixed simile used to describe extreme prostration.