首くびをすくめる

expression, ichidan verb

duck one's head; shrug one's shoulders

Describes pulling the head down between the shoulders, often from cold, fear, or embarrassment. The gesture can involve both head and shoulders.

See also: すくめる

• 寒さむくて思おもわず首くびをすくめた。

  It was so cold I instinctively ducked my head.

• 彼かれは叱しかられて首くびをすくめながら謝あやまった。

  He apologized while shrugging his shoulders after being scolded.