hunker down
Americanverb phrase
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Etymology
Origin of hunker down
First recorded in 1720–30; originally Scottish; hunker ( def. ) + down 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When smoke billowed from the damaged Fairmont The Palm hotel, he decided to hunker down.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
Financially, the sudden volatility made investors hunker down and reduce their debts.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026
Determined to survive, Iran might initially hunker down or seek to draw out any conflict.
From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026
"We just want to hunker down, close the curtains, and stay inside," she said.
From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026
At the mere glimpse of one of the nibbling, button-eyed, bushy-tailed creatures, the children would freeze to attention, stare, hunker down, and approach silently in low, even crouches until within striking distance.
From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
