curl up

British  

verb

1. (intr) to adopt a reclining position with the legs close to the body and the back rounded

2. to become or cause to become spiral-shaped or curved

3. (intr) to retire to a quiet cosy setting

   to curl up with a good novel

4. informal to be or cause to be embarrassed or disgusted (esp in the phrase curl up and die )

---

curl up Idioms  

1. Assume a position with the legs drawn up; settle down for sleep in this posture. For example, I love to curl up with a good book . [c. 1900]

2. curl up and die . Retreat, collapse, die, as in At first the horse was ahead but in the home stretch she curled up and died , or I'll just curl up and die if he shows up . This colorful expression for collapsing or dying is often used hyperbolically (second example). [Early 1900s]

3. curl someone up . Kill someone, as in The sheriff said he'd curl up that outlaw . This usage originated as cowboy slang in the second half of the 1800s.

---

Example Sentences

Glancing in the rearview mirror, I saw Beau curled up in the backseat, sleeping.

From Salon

Prosecutors said the object was Ooro’s body, curled up in the fetal position inside a large, black garbage bag with a tarp over it.

From Washington Post

Because we have Ring cameras set up, we know what happens next: Archie either curls up against the closed door or he goes to his bed in the dining room.

From Washington Post

The 6-foot-5 Hungarian graduate student curled up on the floor near the basket for a minute late in the first half before being helped off and favoring her right leg.

From Seattle Times

On Friday morning, men were curled up in blankets at the entrance of the Metro Red Line, many carrying clear plastic bags with their belongings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cluster
• confer
• consult
• converge
• crouch
• cuddle
• gather
• snuggle