1 C1 formal
To bend down low or press the body close to the ground, especially to avoid being seen.
"The soldiers couched down in the long grass and waited for the signal."
couch down
C1 formal intransitive
To lower the body into a crouching or lying position, often to hide or take cover.
In plain English
To bend down low or lie flat, usually to hide.
What does "couch down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To couch means to lie down or recline; 'down' reinforces the downward movement — fully transparent.
Actually means
To bend down low or lie flat, usually to hide.
Usage tip
Rare and somewhat archaic or literary. More commonly encountered in older texts. Modern speakers typically say 'crouch down' or 'hunker down' instead.
Words that pair with "couch down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
ground grass shadows low quietly behind
How to conjugate "couch down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
couch down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
couches down
he/she/it
Past simple
couched down
yesterday
Past participle
couched down
have + pp
-ing form
couching down
continuous
Hear "couch down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "couch down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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