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bunker out

C1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To stay in a safe place to avoid something dangerous.

Literal meaning: To go out to a bunker (a reinforced shelter) for protection.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To retreat to a safe or secluded place to wait out a danger, storm, or difficult situation.

"The family bunkered out at home during the worst of the cyclone."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Relatively rare and informal. Evokes the image of military bunkers. Used figuratively to mean withdrawing from difficulties. More common in Australian informal English than in British or American English.

Commonly used with

storm danger trouble weekend crisis

Forms

Base
bunker out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bunkers out
he/she/it
Past simple
bunkered out
yesterday
Past participle
bunkered out
have + pp
-ing form
bunkering out
continuous

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