Dic: hat in hand

• She stormed off but came back with hat in hand when she ran out of money.
• We had to go hat in hand to the committee to get a grant for our proposal.
• The Secretary of Defense must go to Congress, hat in hand, to get approval to close military bases.

1. Fig. with humility. (Fig. on the image of someone standing, respectfully, in front of a powerful person, asking for a favor.)

2. with an attitude of respect for someone powerful

Etymology: based on the custom of men removing their hats to show respect, and on the idea that people beg (ask for money) by holding out a hat

... http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/hat+in+hand