Ш30
ЛОМАТЬ (ЛОМИТЬ) ШАПКУ перед кем
collVPsubj:
human 1. obs to remove one's cap (and bow) in greeting as a sign of respect
X ломал шапку перед Y-ом = X doffed his cap to Y
(in limited contexts) X bowed to Y, cap in hand.
2. to humble o.s. before s.o. , behave in a servile manner
X ломает шапку перед Y-ом X bows and scrapes before (to) Y
X grovels before Y.