bent back; half-sitting posture
Describes a posture where the back is bent and the hips are not fully settled, as if ready to stand up or flee. Often used in contexts like martial arts, sports, or hesitant physical stances.
In kendo, if you adopt a half-sitting posture, you'll show an opening to your opponent.
indecisive attitude; timidity; lack of nerve
Figurative extension of the physical posture: a hesitant, non-committal, or timid stance toward a situation or decision. Often used with verbs like 構える or 出る to describe someone's attitude.
He is hesitant about the new project.
You mustn't show a timid attitude at the negotiation table.