crouch

Everyday

1. To crouch means to bend your knees and lower your body close to the ground, leaning forward a little. tree →
2. A crouch is that low, bent position. tree →

In the lessons

In PE and sport: sprinters crouch at the start of a race; goalkeepers crouch ready to dive. In safety drills: in an earthquake, «drop, cover and hold on» (crouch under a sturdy table); in a fire, crouch low because smoke rises; during lightning with no shelter, crouch low and away from tall things. In nature, cats crouch before they pounce. Phrases: crouch down, crouch behind, in a crouch.

Examples

• The cat crouched low, ready to pounce. tree →
• Crouch down under your desk during the earthquake drill. tree →
• We crouched behind the bush during hide-and-seek. tree →
• Sprinters crouch at the starting line. tree →
• Stay low and crouch if there is smoke. tree →
• I crouched to tie my shoelace. tree →
• The young man crouched low to the ground. tree →

Note

Regular verb: crouched, crouching. Similar: squat (sitting on your heels), kneel (resting on your knees), duck (lower your head quickly).

In Jewish tradition

To bend low in defeat. Isaiah says the proud will only crouch among the captives.

Interpretation. Read as the humiliation of those who rely on their own power instead of God.

Examples

• They can do nought except crouch under the captives, and fall under the slain. (Prophets ISA.10.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: crouched, crouching. Similar: squat (sitting on your heels), kneel (resting on your knees), duck (lower your head quickly).