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

“We’re going to be hunkering down,” she said, “and taking lots of Vitamin C.”

From Los Angeles Times

Maria Bowman, 60, hunkered down in her bright pink mobile home in North Fort Myers, rode out Milton's fierce winds.

From BBC

If it continues on its projected track, by Thursday it will likely hit Orlando, another densely populated metropolitan area, where millions of people have either evacuated or hunkered down.

From Salon

Time and time again, he would hunker down in the family home he was raised in, where he now lives with his eight-year-old daughter and partner.

From BBC

But Republicans aren’t just hunkered down trying to preserve their bare majority.

From Los Angeles Times