curling up
Tucking legs in
Curling up is drawing the body inward, knees toward chest, often for warmth or comfort: The cat curled up on the blanket, She curled up with a good book.
The phrase suggests coziness and self-containment.
To curl up and die expresses utter humiliation or defeat: When I saw the typo, I wanted to curl up and die.
- hedgehogSpiny nocturnal mammal
- cocooningRetreating into domestic comfort
- snugglingNestling affectionately against another
- hugTight, affectionate clasp
- fetal positionCurled, knees drawn up
embrace · comfort zone · self-soothing · nestle · withdrawing · cuddle · huddling · spooning · warm bed · cozy blanket · protecting · blanket · tucking · pangolin · ball up · shielding · hibernating · nesting
- defensive gesturesflinching, cowering, cringing, ducking, recoiling
- sleepsleep, sleeping, nap, doze, slumber
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- restresting, sleeping, napping, dozing, slumber
- defenseswall, walls, fence, gate, barrier
- reflexesreflex, reflexes, reflex action, reflex response, quick reflexes
curling upstretching out
Extending in length
spreading out · lying flat · sprawling · standing tall · extending
curling upuncoiling
Loosening from spiral form
stretching · unfurling · uncurling · expanding · extending
curling upopening up
Becoming less guarded
reaching out · exposing oneself · standing one's ground · engaging · emerging
curl, curly, curled, curls, curling, upping, uncurl, curlicue, curlier