hunker down

American  

[huhng-ker doun] / ˈhʌŋ kər ˈdaʊn /

verb phrase

1. to crouch or squat on one’s heels.

   Some of the taller kids have trouble with the exercises that involve a lot of hunkering down.

2. 1. to hide, hide out, or take shelter, often for just a few hours or less, as from a pursuer or a storm.

      Runaways hunkered down in all sorts of places along the Underground Railroad.

      Rain pelted our boat through the night, but we were able to hunker down in a small harbor until daybreak.

   2. to settle in to the safety of one’s home or other designated shelter for a potentially prolonged time, as would be necessitated by a natural disaster or an outbreak of a contagious disease.

      Before hunkering down, we made sure we had enough food, water, batteries, and first-aid supplies to last at least three weeks.

      Make a plan, and prepare to hunker down.

3. to hold resolutely or stubbornly to a policy, opinion, etc., when confronted by criticism, opposition, or unfavorable circumstances.

   Rather than moving toward compromise, both sides continue to hunker down.

   He hunkered down and refused to admit his guilt.

4. to give one’s full and earnest attention to a project, assignment, or other obligation.

   No partying for me this weekend—I’ve got to hunker down and finish this term paper.

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Etymology

Origin of hunker down

First recorded in 1720–30; originally Scottish; hunker ( def. ) + down ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

They said early Sunday that they were unified, hunkered down and ready to ride out any American incursion.

From The Wall Street Journal

And it is a highly bingeable product that will satisfy Americans in their Snuggies, hunkering down on the couch to welcome in a new year.

From The Wall Street Journal

"In a five-day Test match, you should hunker down. Wafting outside 'sixth stump' areas has never been in the textbooks, and that is mainly the fault of the top order."

From BBC

He is hunkering down after his employer and others in the industry recently announced layoffs and expense cuts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although AI plays have since bounced off their lows, the real action has been elsewhere in the market—including riskier areas that show investors aren’t just hunkering down.

From Barron's