HUNKER DOWN Definition & Meaning

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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.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of hunker down¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Continued federal immigration enforcement actions have disrupted lives across greater Los Angeles, including a middle school graduation where teachers and families were left hunkering down in fear.

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Strikers who were hunkered down in Northern California depots took in provisions from farmers loyal to their cause.

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Inside the ICE/DHS compound perimeter, armed and masked federal officers were clearly outnumbered and hunkered down.

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But with the Braves already in the midst of a 17-straight-game stretch, the Dodgers were instead asked to “hunker down,” as manager Dave Roberts quipped before the game, and wait.

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As residents hunker down, social media users are finding humour in their shelved weekend plans.

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hunker hunkers

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