hang your head
Meaning
To lower your head, usually to show shame, sadness, or disappointment.
Origin
A natural body-language metaphor: lowering the head is a visible sign of dejection, shame, grief, or defeat. The figurative use is long-standing in English and parallels similar expressions in other languages.
Notes
Can be literal (physically lower your head) or figurative (feel/appear ashamed, sad, or defeated). Slightly literary; common in narratives and formal speech.
Examples
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When she realized her mistake, she hung her head in embarrassment.
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Don’t hang your head just because we lost the game—there’s always next time.
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He stood there hanging his head when the teacher caught him cheating.
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He hung his head in disappointment and walked out of the room without a word.
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She hung her head in guilt after hearing the news.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a verb phrase: “hang your head” or “hang one’s head.” Possessive changes with subject (my/his/their). Often followed by “in/with” + emotion (“in shame,” “with disappointment”).
Synonyms
- lower your head
- bow your head
- droop your head
- look downcast
Antonyms
- hold your head high
- keep your chin up