肉袒负荆赤裸上身背着荆条请罪，表示愿受责罚。例廉颇闻之肉袒负荆，因宾客至蔺相如门谢罪。——《史记廉颇蔺相如列传》英strip off the upper garment as a token of sincere apology——ready to submit to any punishment the other party may want to give;
负荆请罪背上荆条请求责罚。表示真诚地认罪赔礼。例我则做小负荆请罪。——《元曲选外编渑池会》英proffer a birch and ask for a flogging; apology for wrong-doing; be contrite and ask for pardon; carry a rod on one's back and ask to be punished; carry firewood a