View synonyms for hunker down

hunker down

[ huhng-ker doun ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb phrase

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.
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.
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.
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.

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

When I finally hunker down in a pub on the harbor, Google raises as many questions as it answers.

When life gets traumatic do you prefer to hunker down and grieve in private, or open up to others?

“The news is slanting in different directions,” Tom complains as he and Vickie hunker down in a bar.

Administrations almost always hunker down in these situations and hope they pass.

But I had to hunker down and do my job, live shot after live shot.

"Might as well hunker down right here on the ground," Jed said.

I reckon ez how ye'd better hunker down and lie clost, you two.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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