Expressing Postures and Positions: English Vocabulary List

to form or create an arch or curve, often referring to a graceful or curved shape

"The cat arched its back high."

"The black cat stretched its back and began to arch it high while letting out a quiet yawn."

to incline or lean in a particular direction

"Tilt your head slightly to the right."

"You need to tilt the screen slightly to the left if you want to see the image clearly."

to make a sudden, forceful forward movement

"The dog lunged at the stranger."

"The angry dog suddenly broke free from its leash and started to lunge toward the mailman outside."

to go to a position in which the knees are bent and the back of thighs are touching or very close to one's heels

"He did squat down."

"The athletes had to squat down low before jumping high over the obstacle during their intense training session."

to unwind, release, or straighten something that has been wound into a spiral or twisted shape

"The rope will uncoil."

"The gardener had to carefully uncoil the long garden hose before he could begin watering the plants."

to support, hold up, or sustain by placing or leaning against a firm or solid structure

"Prop the door open with a chair."

"He used an old wooden chair to prop the door open so that fresh air could come inside."

to place something into a sheltered or hidden position

"Tuck your shirt into your pants."

"She carefully tucked her shirt into her pants before going into the important job interview this morning."

to spread out one's limbs in a relaxed manner while sitting, falling, etc.

"She sprawled on the comfortable sofa."

"After running the marathon he was completely exhausted and decided to sprawl out on the grass to rest."

to bend the upper side of one's body forward

"Stoop down to pick up the coin."

"The ceiling in the old basement was very low so he had to stoop down to avoid hitting his head."

to sit on one's calves and move the chest close to one's knees

"The cat crouched before jumping."

"The hunter had to crouch behind a large bush to avoid being seen by the wild deer nearby."

to bend the upper side of the body forward and make a rounded back

"Hunch your shoulders in the cold wind."

"My grandmother tends to hunch her shoulders forward when she sits for a long time in her armchair."

to sit, lean or fall heavily or suddenly, typically due to exhaustion, weakness, or lack of energy.

"He slumped into his chair tiredly."

"After working for twelve hours straight he could only slump into his chair and close his tired eyes."

to adopt a drooping, slumped, or lazy posture

"Do not slouch while sitting."

"The teacher told the students not to slouch in their chairs because it was bad for their spines."