cower down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cower down" is not correct in standard English usage; the correct expression is simply "cower." You can use it when describing someone who is shrinking back in fear or submission.
Example: "The dog began to cower as the thunderstorm rolled in."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Cower down in the dinghy so you're not shot.

The Guardian

He can either cower down and take his beating, or he can stand and fight, and hope to maybe land a few punches.

The Guardian

"The advice I give is it's not appropriate to cower down and give in to people who are using their strength in such a negative way".

The Guardian

"Some experts say cower down and let it happen," he says.

Forbes

We let blokes old enough to be our dad tell us that clubs used to be better when they were younger than we are now and rather than think, "Piss off, grandad," we get scared and cower down to our elders and just give our nights names that sounds like they might have been good in the mythical Good Old Days rather than proving them wrong.

Vice

Since the school cannot afford proper bunkers, the children run to open trenches and cower down inside them.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Somewhere in the background -- or more than likely cowering down in the basement -- the stacks for browsing that we used to know.

Huffington Post

Think about it: you accidentally send your client the wrong invoice, then have to face your irate boss, and instead of cowering down and apologizing, you insanely yell, "Woo-hoo, I FAILED, dude!" Yeah, OK, your boss probably wouldn't applaud so much as send you straight to Human Resources, but the point is, even if you don't say "I failed!" out loud, why not say it to yourself?

Huffington Post

Hounded out of bars and other public spaces, tutted at in doorways and shelters, smokers are now to be found cowering down cold and smelly alleyways.

The Economist

The way he entered my car and cowered down saying "hey" made me want to punch him in the face.

Huffington Post

"When [CdM] did answer back with the two home runs, we could have easily kind of cowered down But we didn't.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Although you might find the phrase "cower down" in some texts, prefer using just "cower". It’s grammatically sound and conveys the meaning of shrinking back in fear.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary directional words to verbs that already imply direction. Saying "cower down" is often redundant because "cower" already suggests a shrinking or lowering motion. Just use "cower".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cower down" functions as a phrasal verb, though it's often considered grammatically incorrect. The primary verb is "cower", which means to shrink back in fear. As Ludwig AI points out, the addition of "down" is typically redundant.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cower down" describes shrinking back in fear, but is generally considered grammatically incorrect; the proper term is simply "cower". Ludwig AI indicates that the "down" is usually redundant, as "cower" already implies a downward or submissive motion. While the phrase is used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, it is advisable to use "cower" for grammatical correctness. Alternatives include "shrink back", "recoil", and "cringe".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cower

Shortened version of the phrase; focuses on the act of shrinking in fear without specifying direction.

shrink back

Emphasizes the physical action of moving away from something in fear.

flinch

Highlights a sudden, involuntary reaction to fear or surprise.

recoil

Suggests a strong, often physical, reaction of fear or disgust.

cringe

Focuses on a physical display of discomfort or embarrassment.

hide

Implies seeking shelter to avoid danger or confrontation.

duck down

Describes quickly lowering oneself to avoid being seen or hit.

huddle

Suggests drawing oneself together, often with others, for protection or warmth.

tremble in fear

Highlights the physical manifestation of intense fear.

take cover

Focuses on seeking immediate protection from danger.

FAQs

Is "cower down" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "cower down" is grammatically incorrect. The correct and more concise term is simply "cower".

What does "cower" mean?

"Cower" means to shrink back and tremble with fear, which already implies a downward motion or submission. Therefore, adding "down" is usually redundant.

How can I use "cower" in a sentence?

You can use "cower" in sentences like, "The dog began to cower as the thunderstorm rolled in," or "The students cowered under their desks during the earthquake drill."

What are some alternatives to "cower"?

Some alternatives to "cower" include "shrink back", "recoil", or "cringe" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.