頭こうべを垂たれる

expression, ichidan verb

bow one's head; hang one's head

Literary or formal expression for lowering one's head, often in shame, respect, or defeat. The reading こうべ is somewhat archaic and poetic.

• 彼かれは恥はずかしさのあまり、深ふかく頭こうべを垂たれた。

  Overcome with shame, he bowed his head deeply.

• 敗はい者しゃは皆みな、頭こうべを垂たれて会かい場じょうを去さった。

  All the losers left the venue with their heads hung low.

expression, ichidan verb

droop (ears of grain)

Used poetically for grain ears bending under their own weight, suggesting a rich harvest. This is a figurative extension of the head-bowing sense.

• 黄こ金がね色いろの稲いな穂ほが頭こうべを垂たれる季き節せつになった。

  It is the season when the golden ears of rice droop.