Hands on hips: assertive posture meaning, usage

Meaning 1：assertive posture (Hands on hips)

Hands on hips 🔊

/hændz ɒn hɪps/

phrase

A standing posture where a person places both hands on their hips, often showing confidence, impatience, or a moment of thought.

assertive posture 🔊

➕

/əˈsɜːrtɪv ˈpɒstʃər/

phrase

A stance where a person places both hands on their waist, often expressing confidence, impatience, or thoughtful evaluation.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Literal description of placing hands on hips; common English idiom for a stance.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a superhero standing with hands on hips, ready to take action.

📖 Example

When my mom saw the messy room, she stood with her hands on hips and waited for an explanation. 🔊 When my mom saw the messy room, she stood with her hands on her hips and waited for an explanation.

🔗 Collocations

stand with hands on hips – to adopt the posture with hands on the waist

place hands on hips – to put one's hands onto the hips

🔄 Synonyms

arms akimbo (phrase) – with hands on hips and elbows outwards, often indicating defiance or confidence

📖 Cultural Story

In Western cultures, this posture signals impatience, confidence, or authority. Common in parental discipline and workplace assertiveness.