Verbs for Changes in Body Posture · Verbs: Movement

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 crouch or squat down slightly

"Scooch closer to the fire please."

"Can you please scooch over a bit so I have enough room to sit down on this crowded bench."

to squat down low, or sit on one's haunches in a relaxed or stable position

"Hunker down before the storm hits."

"The soldiers hunkered down behind the sandbags as the enemy shells exploded all around their position."

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 support the weight of the body on a knee or both knees

"Kneel down to tie your shoes."

"The knight knelt before the queen as a sign of respect and loyalty to the crown."

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 lower the head or body quickly as a gesture of avoidance or to avoid being hit

"Duck your head quickly now."

"He had to duck quickly to avoid being hit by the low hanging branch while running through the forest path."

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 fall or sit down heavily, often with a soft or muffled sound

"She flumps onto the soft couch."

"The exhausted runner flopped or flumped onto the grass after crossing the finish line of the marathon."

to sit or stand with one leg on either side of

"He bestrides the horse with ease."

"The statue shows the general bestriding his horse as he leads his troops into battle."

to position one's body like a ball with one's arms and legs placed close to one's body while sitting

"The cat curls up by the fire."

"The cat likes to curl up on the warm blanket near the fireplace during cold winter nights."

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 rise up onto one's feet, typically from a seated or lying position, and support oneself in an upright position

"Please stand up now."

"The seasoned performer was able to stand with remarkable poise despite the harsh criticism."

to rise to a standing position from a seated or lying position

"He will stand up soon."

"The entire audience was asked to stand up to honor the distinguished guest speaker."

to get on our feet and stand up

"Please get up now."

"It is very difficult for me to get up early on cold winter mornings because my bed feels so warm and comfortable."

to bend the head or move the upper half of the body forward to show respect or as a way of greeting

"The performer bows after the show."

"The performer bowed deeply to the audience at the end of the show to thank them for their applause."

to bend from a straight position typically to rest the body against something for support

"Lean the ladder against the wall."

"Do not lean out of the window of a moving train because it is extremely dangerous and you could fall out."

to put our bottom on something like a chair or the ground while keeping our back straight

"Please sit on the comfortable chair."

"The elderly man prefers to sit in the front row of the cinema because his eyesight is poor."

to fall or collapse suddenly and heavily, either intentionally or unintentionally

"He will flop down."

"Exhausted from the long hike, the weary traveler decided to flop onto the nearest available chair."

to sit with one leg on either side of an object

"He did straddle the fence."

"The cowboy expertly managed to straddle the wild horse and began to tame it with his firm grip."

to bend over typically as a reaction to laughter or pain

"She doubles up with laughter often."

"He had to double up with laughter after hearing the hilarious joke."

(of a person or animal) to be in a resting position on a flat surface, not standing or sitting

"The cat will lie down."

"The tired dog decided to lie on the cool tile floor to escape the summer heat."

to bend the upper body backwards

"Recline your body back."

"Passengers can recline their seats slightly on long flights to make sleeping more comfortable during the journey."