すくめる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

shrug (shoulders); duck (head); draw back (body)

Describes a reflexive, often fearful or tense, contraction of the body: shrugging the shoulders, ducking the head, or cowering. Commonly used with body parts like 肩 (shoulders), 首 (neck), or 身 (body).

• 寒さむくて肩かたをすくめた。

  I shrugged my shoulders because it was cold.

• 彼かれは怖こわくて首くびをすくめた。

  He ducked his head in fear.