# bend down

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bend-down
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to move the top part of your body toward the ground by curving your back or knees.

For teachers: to incline the torso forward and downward, often by flexing the waist or knees, to reach a lower position.

## Examples

- I have to bend down to tie my shoes.
- The tall man had to bend down to avoid hitting his head on the low doorway.
- She watched the gardener bend down to inspect the delicate seedlings that were just beginning to emerge from the damp soil.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bended down to pick it up." but "He bent down to pick it up." — the past tense of 'bend' is 'bent', not 'bended'.

## Usage notes

- usually an intransitive action describing a physical movement of the body.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'lean over' (which implies a tilt from the waist) and 'crouch' (which focuses on the legs); 'bend down' is the most general term for reaching lower.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.