膝ひざを抱だく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

hug one's knees; sit with knees drawn up

Describes the physical posture of sitting with arms wrapped around one's bent knees. Often implies a pensive, lonely, or vulnerable state.

• 彼かの女じょは部屋へやの隅すみで膝ひざを抱だいて座すわっていた。

  She was sitting in the corner of the room hugging her knees.

• 寒さむい夜よるは、布ふ団とんの中なかで膝ひざを抱だく。

  On cold nights, I hug my knees under the futon.

expression, godan verb (-ku)

beg; plead on one's knees

Figurative use: to beg or plead desperately, as if kneeling and clinging to someone's knees. Less common than the literal posture sense.

• 彼かれは上じょう司しに膝ひざを抱だいて謝あやまった。

  He begged his boss for forgiveness, practically on his knees.