crouch
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To bend your knees and lower your body so that you are close to the ground, often to avoid being seen or to get ready to move quickly.
To adopt a low or servile posture physically or metaphorically; a position of physical readiness for action; a low or squatting position.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it often implies a temporary, intentional posture. As a noun, it describes the position itself. The action is typically a full-body movement involving the legs and back.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is identical. Minor potential for variation in frequency in sports contexts (e.g., cricket vs. baseball).
Connotations
Identical. Connotes alertness, readiness, or concealment.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Intransitive: The soldier crouched.Intransitive + Adverbial (down/behind): She crouched down behind the wall.Linking Verb + Noun: He was in a defensive crouch.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Crouch, bind, set (rugby scrum commands)”
- “in the starting crouch (sports)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used in a literal sense. Figuratively: 'The company crouched in a defensive position during the market downturn.'
Academic
Used in descriptive prose (anthropology, sports science, military history).
Everyday
Common for describing postures of animals, children, or people hiding or preparing to move.
Technical
Used in sports coaching (e.g., sprint start, wicketkeeping), military training, and animation/character posing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The wicketkeeper crouched behind the stumps.
- Crouch down so the dog doesn't see you.
American English
- The catcher crouched behind home plate.
- Crouch behind the car for cover.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. 'Crouchingly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- No standard adverbial form. 'Crouchingly' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- The crouching figure was barely visible in the fog. (present participle as adj.)
American English
- He assumed a crouching position behind the bushes. (present participle as adj.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat crouched before it jumped.
- Crouch down to tie your shoe.
- I had to crouch behind the sofa so my nephew wouldn't find me.
- The soldier crouched in the trench.
- The photographer crouched low to get the perfect angle of the flower.
- He sprang from a crouch and tackled the opponent.
- The economy has been crouching in a defensive posture for months, wary of further shocks.
- Her narrative crouches in the shadows of memory before leaping into the present.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COUCH that is low to the ground. To CROUCH is to make yourself low, like a short couch.
Conceptual Metaphor
READINESS IS A LOW POSTURE (He crouched, ready to spring into action). SUBMISSION/OBEDIENCE IS A LOW POSTURE (He crouched before the king).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'krutit'' (to twist).
- Not 'pripast'' (to squat) which implies a more static, seated position; 'crouch' is more dynamic.
- The noun 'присядка' is a specific dance move, not a general crouch.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He crouched the box.' (It is not transitive). Correct: 'He crouched down next to the box.'
- Confusing with 'crouching' as an adjective for a person ('a crouching man') vs. a style ('crouching tiger').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'crouch' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Crouch' implies the knees are bent and the body is lowered, but weight is typically on the balls of the feet, ready to move. 'Squat' often implies a more stable, seated-like position with heels down, often for a longer duration.
No, it is almost always intransitive. You crouch (yourself), you do not crouch an object. The rare transitive use is archaic (e.g., 'to crouch one's body').
Yes, very commonly. 'The lion crouched in the long grass.' It perfectly describes the preparatory posture of many predators.
Not directly, though the action is often associated with fear (hiding/cowering). It primarily describes a physical posture which may be *caused* by fear, alertness, or practicality.