assume an attitude

I leaned forward and tried to assume a no-nonsense attitude.

The whole garrison turned out under arms and assumed a threatening attitude - yet still we did not fear.

He backed himself against the panel, and assumed a murderous attitude.

He assumed an unsympathetic attitude toward speculative and religious thought in general.

"We have been assuming a quiet attitude," said one Japanese diplomat.

He did not assume a superior attitude, as she'd expected when she first saw his name on the manifest.

The Indians grabbed their arms "and assumed a defensive attitude."

He turned to Jermyn and noted that the man had assumed a listening attitude.

Modern perception always separated the whole into its pieces assuming an analytical attitude.

In general, the shows work best when they assume a leavening attitude toward weighty problems.