Body language is a very powerful tool of a communication, not only between people but in the animal world as well.
Body
language
is
a
very
powerful
tool
of
a
communication
,
not
only
between
people
but
in
the
animal
world
as
well
.
In many instances, we produce idioms which are all understandable by borrowing examples from animal communication.
In
many
instances
,
we
produce
idioms
which
are
all
understandable
by
borrowing
examples
from
animal
communication
.
For example, we know that a frightened cat will arch.
For
example
,
we
know
that
a
frightened
cat
will
arch
.
From this starting-point we might hear the expression.
From
this
starting-point
we
might
hear
the
expression
.
"He gets my back up!"
``
He
gets
my
back
up
!
''
meaning "He makes me angry."
meaning
``
He
makes
me
angry
.
''
In the same manner, we know that many animals, if challenged by attackers, will not turn and run away because this will encourage the attackers to attack them more forcefully.
In
the
same
manner
,
we
know
that
many
animals
,
if
challenged
by
attackers
,
will
not
turn
and
run
away
because
this
will
encourage
the
attackers
to
attack
them
more
forcefully
.
Instead, they will move backwards slowly to get out of harm's way, always facing their attacker.
Instead
,
they
will
move
backwards
slowly
to
get
out
of
harm
's
way
,
always
facing
their
attacker
.
We call this action "backing off" and it can be used as well with humans as with animals.
We
call
this
action
``
backing
off
''
and
it
can
be
used
as
well
with
humans
as
with
animals
.
In the case of humans, however, the back-off may not be physical but oral, as in using a kinder tone of voice and gentle words instead of fighting against the attackers.
In
the
case
of
humans
,
however
,
the
back-off
may
not
be
physical
but
oral
,
as
in
using
a
kinder
tone
of
voice
and
gentle
words
instead
of
fighting
against
the
attackers
.
Body language is a very powerful tool of a communication, not only between people but in the animal world as well.  In many instances, we produce idioms which are all understandable by borrowing examples from animal communication.  For example, we know that a frightened cat will arch. From this starting-point we might hear the expression. "He gets my back up!" meaning "He makes me angry."  In the same manner, we know that many animals, if challenged by attackers, will not turn and run away because this will encourage the attackers to attack them more forcefully. Instead, they will move backwards slowly to get out of harm's way, always facing their attacker. We call this action "backing off" and it can be used as well with humans as with animals.  In the case of humans, however, the back-off may not be physical but oral, as in using a kinder tone of voice and gentle words instead of fighting against the attackers.