stooping

Everyday

1. Bending the top part of your body forwards and down. tree →
2. Standing or walking with your back and shoulders bent forwards, often because of age or habit. tree →
3. (in «stooping to») Doing something mean, unfair or dishonest that is below your usual standards. tree →

In the lessons

In stories «stooping» shows someone bending down to pick something up, getting through a low door, or an old person walking with a bent back. «Stooping to» shows a character doing something low: «stooping to cheating». In safety lessons, bend your knees, not your back, when lifting. Phrases: «stooping down», «stooping to pick up», «stooping to cheat», «stooping low».

Examples

• She was stooping to pick up a coin. tree →
• The old man walked slowly, stooping over his stick. tree →
• We had to go through the low tunnel stooping. tree →
• I'm not stooping to their level by calling names. tree →
• Stooping all day in the garden hurt Grandma's back. tree →
• He was stooping over the map, looking for the route. tree →
• They won't win by stooping to cheating. tree →
• Gently stooping over him she kissed his forehead, and at her touch he awoke. tree →

Note

«Stoop» is regular: stooped, stooping. In the US (especially New York) «a stoop» is also the front steps of a house. «Stoop to» + noun or -ing means «lower yourself to». Do not confuse «stooping» with «swooping» (flying down fast).