Cross cultural understanding: a handbook to understand others’ cultures

Signal
Possible
Meaning(s)
Detailed Explanation
head 
down 
(while 
performing an 
activity)
defeat, tiredness 
Lowering the head is a sign of 
loss, defeat, shame, etc. 
Hence the expressions such as 
'don't let your head drop', and 
'don't let your head go down', 
especially in sports and 
competitive activities. Head 
down also tends to cause 
shoulders and upper back to 
to slump, increasing the signs 
of weakness at that moment. 
chin up
pride, defiance, 
confidence 
Very similar to the 'head held 
high' signal. Holding the chin 
up naturally alters the angle 
of the head backwards, 
exposing the neck, which is a 
signal of strength, resilience, 
pride, resistance, etc. A 
pronounced raised chin does 
other interesting things to the 
body too - it tends to lift the 
sternum (breast-bone), which 
draws in air, puffing out the 
chest, and it widens the 
shoulders. These combined 
effects make the person stand 
bigger. An exposed neck is 
also a sign of confidence. 
'Chin up' is for these reasons a 
long-standing expression used 
to encourage someone to be 
brave.