History Main / CowerPower

* 'WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'': In "[[Recap/CaptainPlanetAndthePlaneteersS2E13TroubleOnTheHalfShell Trouble on the Half Shell]]", when the rats mutate and grow huge thanks to toxic waste exposure, Greedly hides behind Skumm and tells him that ''he'' should deal with them; they're his relatives.

* Fluttershy's default reaction to anything unexpected in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''.
* Used in every ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo'' episode '''[[OncePerEpisode EVER]]'''.

It's only natural to cower in the face of danger.[[note]]This is actually a survival mechanism, which works for small animals because many of the larger animals that eat them can see motion really well, but have trouble spotting stationary things. Some animals, like humans and eagles, have good enough eyesight that they may be able to spot the "frozen" animal anyway, though it's still easier to spot something that's moving. Others don't even ''rely'' on eyesight, utilizing other senses such as smell or heat-sensing instead. Still, you'd be surprised how well this trick can work... for smaller animals, anyways. For larger creatures like humans, it's mostly an evolutionary holdover, though it might still work on occasion.[[/note]] As such, many a classic DistressedDamsel and fearful child will cower behind the nearest LoveInterest, parent, or BigDamnHeroes when presented with peril. Of course, most conscientious heroes and even InnocentBystanders will naturally interpose themselves anyway to protect other innocents (and [[TheWorfEffect perhaps]] [[FoeTossingCharge pointlessly]], but they do get props for chivalry). This kind of cowering stems from the classic pose of hero and heroine facing a monster on FilmPosters for TouchOfTheMonster: the hero has a gun in one hand pointed at the beast, his other hand holding the LoveInterest back, while [[SecurityCling she clutches his shoulder]] with one hand and covers her mouth from shock with the other.

Sometimes this is used for comedic effect, with a hero who is AfraidOfNeedles reacting with complete terror to mundane things, sometimes even jumping into his {{Sidekick}}'s arms or ducking behind his LoveInterest like a DistressedDamsel. The FishOutOfWater might hide from otherwise harmless things too (and notice who/what they're hiding behind looks far more threatening). See also PoseOfSupplication. Bonus coward points if the character also ScreamsLikeALittleGirl. Compare EekAMouse

* ''Manga/CaseClosed'''s Ai Haibara fulfills the DistressedDamsel version of this trope. She can often sense the presence of a member of the Organization close by. When she gets this feeling she will frequently cling to and hide behind the closest person available. This is most often Conan and Professor Agasa, but have on occasion also been Ran or Mitsuhiko.

* ''VideoGame/Wolfenstein'': Subverted in ''VideoGame/ReturnToCastleWolfenstein''.

* A favorite tactic of the heels, who are not above grabbing a female at ringside (either the face's girlfriend or their own) to stop from getting attacked, and then shoving said female into the opponent! Wrestling/{{Edge}} used to do this all the time. Wrestling/EddieGuerrero made it particularly reprehensible when he grabbed Wrestling/ReyMysterioJr's young son Dominick; [[PapaWolf this made Mysterio]] [[ThisIsUnforgivable very angry]].

It's only natural to cower in the face of danger[[note]]this is actually a survival mechanism, which works for small animals because many of the larger animals that eat them can see motion really well, but have trouble spotting stationary things. Some animals, like humans and eagles, have good enough eyesight that they may be able to spot the "frozen" animal anyway, though it's still easier to spot something that's moving. Others don't even ''rely'' on eyesight, utilizing other senses such as smell or heat-sensing instead. Still, you'd be surprised how well this trick can work... for smaller animals, anyways. For larger creatures like humans, it's mostly an evolutionary holdover, though it might still work on occasion[[/note]]. As such, many a classic DistressedDamsel and fearful child will cower behind the nearest LoveInterest, parent, or BigDamnHeroes when presented with peril. Of course, most conscientious heroes and even InnocentBystanders will naturally interpose themselves anyway to protect other innocents (and [[TheWorfEffect perhaps]] [[FoeTossingCharge pointlessly]], but they do get props for chivalry). This kind of cowering stems from the classic pose of hero and heroine facing a monster on FilmPosters for TouchOfTheMonster: the hero has a gun in one hand pointed at the beast, his other hand holding the LoveInterest back, while [[SecurityCling she clutches his shoulder]] with one hand and covers her mouth from shock with the other.

* * ''Series/DoctorWho''. In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS38E8TheHauntingOfVillaDiodati "The Haunting of Villa Diodati"]], Creator/LordByron cowers behind his mistress Claire Clairmont when faced with something spooky. At the end of the episode she informs Byron that using her as a human shield has [[BrokenPedestal ended whatever infatuation she had for him]].

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->''"Bob! Prepare for the ass-kicking of your life!" ''(moves behind George)''\\

* Bulma in ''Manga/DragonBall'' often hides behind Goku whenever someone or something dangerous happens when she was a teenager. She looked especially funny since she's so much taller than Goku who is barely three feet tall. She also hid behind Yamcha, which terrifies him at first because of his fear of women.

* Used in a bizarre way in ''Manga/OnePiece'': Bobby Funk is scared of battle, so when he enters a fight, he immediately turns around and crouches in fear, though he doesn't hide behind anyone. However, Bobby has SuperToughness, the skin of his back being strong enough to break bladed weapons swung at him, so this proves to be a pretty good way to defend himself.

* In ''WebVideo/DeathNoteTheAbridgedSeriesKpts4tv'', Near after Mello kills most of his agents:
-->'''Near:''' [[EverybodysDeadDave Light, everyone's dead... at my Clubhouse, everyone's dead.]]\\
'''Light:''' What do you expect me to do about it?\\
'''Near:''' I need an adult.\\
'''Light:''' I'm hanging up now.

* Crane does this in ''Film/SleepyHollow1999'' when he approaches a particularly creepy hovel, using Young Masbeth as a shield and aiming his pistol over the boy's shoulder.
* Fozzie Bear does this at various times in Franchise/TheMuppets franchise, such as in ''Film/TheMuppetMovie'' where they first meet Animal. As soon as he gets scared, Fozzie's first impulse is to put Kermit between himself and the threat with due speed. Despite the fact that, being a bear, [[FurryReminder Fozzie is about four times the size of Kermit.]]

* A parody cover for the sci-fi magazine ''Andromeda Spaceways'' had an astronaut cowering in fear behind a scantily-clad space babe who was fearlessly fending off a tentacled monster with her RayGun.

* In Creator/RobertEHoward's ''Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian'' story ''Literature/ThePoolOfTheBlackOne'' Sancha grovels after being thrown to the ground.

* In ''Literature/ABoyMadeOfBlocks'', Sam is shy around his aunt Emma and hides behind Jody's legs. He warms to her after she gives him a bag of toy airplanes.
* In ''Literature/ThePlaceInsideTheStorm'', a little girl starts to pet Xel the robotic cat, but when he tries to talk to her, she hides behind her mother's skirts.

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', of course, has a gender inversion from the movie poster description above.
-->'''Xander:''' Where'd you get that accent, ''Series/SesameStreet''? 1, 2, 3 victims, nyahaha!\\

-->'''Anya:''' ''When times get rough, he / just hides behind his Buffy...''
* In an episode of ''Series/{{Castle}}'' there is a scene when the resident badass Beckett hides behind a local sheriff, while Castle hides behind her. Both decisions actually make sense in context: Castle is a NonActionGuy who is used to stepping back and let Beckett handle a criminal; Beckett is a highly trained police officer, but she is unarmed, while the sheriff at least has a gun (which he is very uncomfortable with).

* ''Series/KaizokuSentaiGokaiger'': When the crew is confronted by a monster, Doc will almost always hide behind Luka, who will in turn elbow him in the gut for his cowardice.
* Doctor Smith from ''Series/LostInSpace'' would cower behind Will Robinson ''at least'' {{once an episode}}. Sometimes the Robot, for variety.

** In the episode "[[Recap/SupernaturalS02E21AllHellBreaksLoosePartOne All Hell Breaks Loose, Part One]]" [=(S02, Ep21)=], when they find Lily's body, Ava covers mouth as if she is going to be sick, and Andy hugs his arms around himself. They both have trouble looking at the body. While Jake and Sam are unflinching and seem to stand taller.

* From one standpoint, '''any''' StealthBasedGame or game with a StealthBasedMission could be seen as utilizing this. You need to hide from enemies, often by crouching in dark corners, because you can't take them on. Certain Horror-genre games will have the character give indications that they're afraid, like ''VideoGame/CallOfCthulhuDarkCornersOfTheEarth''.

* ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'':

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/ReturnToCastleWolfenstein''.
-->'''MadScientist:''' It's the spy! ''[hides behind SS officer]'' You must protect me!\\
'''SS Officer:''' No, HerrDoktor, you are the one who will protect me! ''[throws him through the portal, only for scientist to come back as a mutant monster [[GoneHorriblyRight and kill him]]]''

[[folder:Web Original]]

* The title character in ‘‘WesternAnimation/DaveTheBarbarian’’ hides behind a tiny puppy to escape the Dark Lord Chuckles’ rampage in “The Red Sweater of Courage.” The other characters (including Chuckles) point out that this was a new low, even for Dave.

* The book and movie of ''Literature/TheDeadZone'' use this to let the world know [[BigBad Greg Stillson]] is a bad man. Or at least this is what ruins him. [[RuleOfPerception We, the readers/audience]], know from early on that the bad guy is really bad. But this is what [[spoiler:destroys his image to the [in-story] public. '''NO ONE''' would vote someone who used ''[[WouldHurtAChild a baby]]'' to shield himself from an assassin into the office of President of the USA]].

* ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'': After Haruhi's reaction to Tsuruya's report on what she and Kyon did to disband a illegal photographic ring (which included sleeping with him and bathing together -- ItMakesSenseInContext), Mikuru automatically hides behind Tsuruya. [[OCStandIn Kanae]], noting that hiding behind Tsuruya isn't the best idea in this circumstances, decided not to follow this trope and only hide behind the table.

* The title character in ‘‘WesternAnimation/DaveTheBarbarian’’ hides from the Dark Lord Chuckles behind a tiny puppy in “The Red Sweater of Courage.” The other characters point out that this was a new low, even for Dave.

* The title character in ‘ ‘‘WesternAnimation/DaveTheBarbarian’’ hides from the Dark Lord Chuckles behind a tiny puppy in “The Red Sweater of Courage.” The other characters point out that this was a new low, even for Dave.

* The title character in ‘’WesternAnimation/DaveTheBarbarian’’ hides from the Dark Lord Chuckles behind a tiny puppy in “The Red Sweater of Courage.” The other characters point out that this was a new low, even for Dave.

[[folder:Art]]

* ''Roleplay/DawnOfANewAgeOldportBlues:''

* Parodied in the ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' episode "Overdue," in which Ron has a tendency to hide behind Wade's robot while invading Dr. Drakken's lair. Problem is that the robot turns invisible if Dr. Drakken or Shego see it, causing Ron to get spotted immediately. To them, it looks like Ron is just shivering in a corner in fear.

* ''Manga/DetectiveConan's'' Ai Haibara fulfills the DistressedDamsel version of this trope. She can often sense the presence of a member of the Organization close by. When she gets this feeling she will frequently cling to and hide behind the closest person available. This is most often Conan and Professor Agasa, but have on occasion also been Ran or Mitsuhiko.

* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' 5th Edition, Kobold [=PCs=] get a racial special ability called ''Grovel, Cower, and Beg''. Once per fight, they can cower and grovel, distracting nearby enemies so that the Kobold's allies gain Advantage on any attacks made against them for a round.

* ''Film/SpiesLikeUs''. [[ColonelBadass Colonel Rhumbus]] shows Fitz-Hume and Millbarge the 'standard assault course' they'll be undertaking for SpySchool, then adds it's been enhanced with 'scorched earth'. Cue StuffBlowing up and our heroes jumping behind the colonel for cover.

* The book and movie of ''Literature/TheDeadZone'' use this to let the world know its villain is a bad man. Or at least this is what ruins him. [[RuleOfPerception We, the readers/audience]], know from early on that the bad guy is really bad. But this is what [[spoiler:destroys his image to the [in-story] public. '''NO ONE''' would vote for someone who used ''[[WouldHurtAChild a baby]]'' to shield himself from an assassin into the office of President of the USA]].

* The book and movie of ''Literature/TheDeadZone'' use this to let the world know its villain is a bad man. Or at least this is what ruins him. [[RuleOfPerception We, the readers/audience]], know from early on that the bad guy is really bad. But this is what [[spoiler:destroys his image to the [in-story] public. We mean, '''NO ONE''' would vote for someone who used ''[[WouldHurtAChild a baby]]'' to shield himself from an assassin for president of the USA]].

* The book and movie of ''Literature/TheDeadZone'' use this to let the world know its villain is a bad man. Or at least this is what ruins him. [[RuleOfPerception We, the readers/audience]], know from early on that the bad guy is really bad. But this is what [[spoiler:destroys his image to the [in-story] public. We mean, '''NO ONE''' would vote for someone for president of the USA who used ''[[WouldHurtAChild a baby]]'' to shield himself from an assassin]].