hunker down

[huhng-ker doun]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hunker down¹

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

Example Sentences

Instead of making a run for it, he resolves to hunker down until the heat is off.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Gee Gee Rosell, who lives on Hatteras Island, stopped by her store Buxton Village Books on Wednesday to unpack a new shipment and manage orders from residents before they hunker down.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The assailant was shot dead by British police but not before he stabbed and killed a man and tried to barge into the synagogue itself, where worshipers were hunkered down.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"They need heat and energy to fly so what we are seeing at the moment is them taking advantage of the good weather to find the right place to hunker down for winter."

Read more on BBC

Fresh food and bread were wiped off supermarket shelves as residents prepared to hunker down, while shop owners piled sandbags in front of their stores.

Read more on BBC