crossing arms
Self-protective body language
Crossing arms is folding the arms across the chest, each hand tucking near the opposite elbow.
The gesture often signals defensiveness, skepticism, or closed-off body language: She crossed her arms and waited for an explanation.
It can also indicate impatience, self-comfort, or simply being cold.
Context determines whether it's hostile or neutral.
- foldedBent upon itself
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- closedNot accessible now
- closed offBarred from access
- guardedWary and restrained
barrier · protective · standoffish · keeping distance · stubborn · stand your ground · body language · posture · gesture · uncomfortable · hostile · resistant · holding back · shielding · withdrawn · tense · chest · elbows
- fidgetingfidgeting, fidget, tapping, fiddle, finger tapping
- gesturesgesture, hand gestures, applause, hand raise, tap on shoulder
- school busesschool bus, school buses, yellow bus, yellow buses, bus driver
- idle actionsfidgeting, waiting, twiddling thumbs, daydreaming, lounging
- rail safetysignal light, warning signal, train stop, safety gates, train control
- passive aggressionsilent treatment, backhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling
crossing armsopen stance
Foot position facing target
open posture · relaxed posture · hands on hips · leaning forward · power pose
crossing armsopen arms
Welcoming body language
embracing · arms outstretched · reaching out · leaning in · palms up
crossing armsarms outstretched
Limbs reaching horizontally outward
arms extended · open arms · arms akimbo · hands behind back · arms raised
crossing, arms, cross, crossed, crosses, crosser, arming, armless, unarmed