have an english friend that uses this expression and don't know what it means.
2006-12-26 11:59:48 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It is a saying that comes from the day's of old. There are a few sources where it may have come from.
To get your head down, is to direct all your efforts into the particular task you are involved in. Early English schools, like Harrow (1545) started teaching the children in rows on wooden desks, and if the student was not keeping his head down in the book, writing or reading, then he stood out from the rest of the group, and was probably cuffed on the ear from behind.
For many years the term was used (to keep one's head down) to mean to avoid trouble - attracting notice. It may have come from the earlier practice of defending a castle, where you didn't want to stick your head above the parapet, to get it shot at by an arrow, when everybody else was taking cover, as you would attract the fire from all the enemy archers.
The term was indeed used in this context during the First World War - went officers used the public school term amongst the normal soldiers, to warn them of not attracting enemy sniper fire.
2006-12-26 12:20:11 · answer #1 · answered by DAVID C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe it comes from trench warfare, especially in WW1, when the phrase meant that you were keeping low so that no sniper, shrapnel, or anything else bad could remove your face. As an idiom, it means keeping yourself clear of any harm or mess that might be around you.
For example, President Bush would have been well advised to 'keep his head down' regarding Iraq, but needless to say he did not.
2006-12-26 12:04:06 · answer #2 · answered by But why is the rum always gone? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Keep Your Head Down
2016-10-06 10:54:12 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means 'avoid trouble by not getting involved' If two people are arguing for example its better to say nothing. It is a very old expression and was probably first used in a battle situation. Showing your head above the battlements of a castle or a trench you were hiding in would have given your enemy a target to aim at!
2006-12-26 12:29:53 · answer #4 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
During World War I, the war evolved into stagnate trench warfare. Soldiers that put their head about the trenches were often shot by snipers. So, keep your head down. Means keep a low profile, don't make yourself obvious, don't stand out.
2006-12-26 12:05:29 · answer #5 · answered by jack w 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
what does the idiom "keeping my head down" mean?
have an english friend that uses this expression and don't know what it means.
2015-08-06 11:01:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In American English you would say "to keep a low profile"--this means either to stay busy, or to keep quiet in a stressful situation so as not to attract attention of the angry people and get yelled at.
In Britain, "to get your head down" also means to lie down and get some sleep.
2006-12-26 19:32:08 · answer #7 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was a saying that probably originated in WW One that means when you're in the trenches keep your head down to keep from getting shot at.
2006-12-26 12:02:40 · answer #8 · answered by Guy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Goes back to trench warfare, keep your head down, don't stick it above the parapit an it won't get blown off.
2006-12-26 12:08:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It stems from men in the trenches in ww1. they had to keep below the trench top to stop being shot at!
It means when trouble is brewing do your best to come out of it intact.
Is this enough of an explanation?
2006-12-26 12:18:11 · answer #10 · answered by kiku 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋