- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
