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hunker down

B2 informal intransitive
In simple words

Get into a safe position and wait for something difficult to pass; OR get focused and work hard.

Literal meaning: To crouch down low on one's haunches — to lower the body close to the ground.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

To find shelter and wait in place for a storm, crisis, or difficult period to pass.

"Residents were told to hunker down as the hurricane approached the coastline."

"It's time to hunker down and get through this together."

— Andrew Cuomo, New York Governor, press briefing during COVID-19 pandemic, March 2020
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To settle down and focus seriously on a task or piece of work, ignoring distractions.

"I'm going to hunker down this weekend and finish my thesis chapter."

3 B1 neutral

To crouch or squat down low, close to the ground.

"They hunkered down behind the wall to avoid being seen."

Usage notes

Has two main figurative meanings: (1) to shelter and wait out a storm, crisis, or threat; (2) to apply oneself seriously to work. Sense 1 is very common in news media during weather events or crises. Originates from the literal meaning of crouching down low.

Commonly used with

storm crisis deadline winter work pandemic

Forms

Base
hunker down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hunkers down
he/she/it
Past simple
hunkered down
yesterday
Past participle
hunkered down
have + pp
-ing form
hunkering down
continuous

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Synonyms

hole up dig in buckle down shelter in place batten down settle in

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