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

Florida-based influencers like Caroline Calloway, Jacqueline Goldrich and Morgan Roos have gone viral for ignoring local Florida hurricane evacuation ordinances, choosing to hunker down in their homes.

From Salon

ML Ferguson thought she could hunker down and beat Hurricane Helene – but just weeks after that storm nearly wiped her out, she’s not taking any more chances.

From BBC

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

"The fact that some parts of the world are more at risk than others I think gives some of the super rich the idea that they can hunker down in a bunker in New Zealand and aren’t in this with the rest of us, and unfortunately that’s true to some extent," Kukowski said.

From Salon

To weather the storm, Mr Gregg plans to hunker down in his hometown of Tallahassee with a friend who has a shelter.

From BBC