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."
inseparable
bunker out
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
To shelter or hide in a secure location, especially to avoid danger or difficulty.
In plain English
To stay in a safe place to avoid something dangerous.
What does "bunker out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To go out to a bunker (a reinforced shelter) for protection.
Actually means
To stay in a safe place to avoid something dangerous.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "bunker out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
storm danger trouble weekend crisis
How to conjugate "bunker out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "bunker out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bunker out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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