assume the position

present singular third person assumes the position · participle present assuming the position · participle past assumed the position · past assumed the position

1. Often used other than figuratively or idiomatically: to assume a given position.

   Now in this case, if the suspended bar were acted upon solely by the north pole of the magnet, it would assume the position AB

   1842, Daniel Davis et al., Davis's Manual of Magnetism

   1 more example

   President Clinton's nominee to assume the position of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior […]

   1998, Nomination of Kevin Gover: Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate

2. USidiomaticgovernmentTo turn away, with one's hands in a visible and unmovable position, so that one can be searched.

   A day or two later we took down another seller and this time the rookie performs the search. Assume the position! he tells the guy. So the guy leans against the side of the car.

   2002, James Harper Walker, Inside Your Local Police

3. UKidiomaticpunishmentOften used as an order to bend over, for example, to receive the traditional corporal punishment in a case of misbehaviour.