Buttons' partner (4)
I believe the answer is:
bows
'buttons' partner' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for bows that I've seen before include "some people play with" , "foreparts" , "Acknowledges applause as actor does" , "Bends, defers" , "Looped knots of ribbons - fiddlesticks!" .)