Crouch down in fear (5) Crossword Clue
Answer: COWER (5 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Crouch down in fear" with 5 letters is "COWER". "Cower" means to crouch down or shrink back in fear or servility. It's the physical or emotional reaction of someone overwhelmed by fear or anxiety.
Why “COWER” Fits
The clue asks for a 5-letter word meaning “crouch down in fear.” The answer, COWER, fits perfectly:
- Crouch Down: “Cower” describes the physical act of shrinking, bending, or lowering oneself, typically as an immediate response to fear or intimidation.
- In Fear: The word specifically denotes an action prompted by anxiety, threat, or dread, when someone or something assumes a protective posture against a perceived danger.
This direct definition makes “cower” a precise and uncluttered solution to the clue.
“Cower” has roots in the Old Norse word kaurra, meaning “to squat or hide.” Today, it’s commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts:
- A dog might cower during a thunderstorm, lowering itself out of fright.
- In stories, characters might “cower” when faced with a powerful adversary.
- The term appears across spoken English, literature, and crossword puzzles as a vivid depiction of submitting or drawing back out of fear.
For clues combining physical motion and emotional state (“crouch down in fear”), look for verbs that bridge both senses. “Cower” does exactly that it’s a compact word capturing the act of shrinking away and the feeling that causes it.
Spotting this overlap where a single term covers both movement and emotion is a valuable strategy for efficient crossword solving.
