1 C1 neutral
(Nautical) To secure a boat's sails, rigging, and hatches in preparation for a storm.
"As the storm clouds gathered, the crew snugged down the boat and headed for shelter."
separable
snug down
C1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To make oneself or a vessel secure and comfortable, especially in preparation for cold or rough conditions.
In plain English
To get yourself or a boat settled in and secure and cosy, especially before bad weather.
What does "snug down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
To make oneself warm, comfortable, and secure, typically for the night or in cold weather.
"The children snugged down under their duvets as the wind rattled the windows."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make snug (tight, warm, and secure) by settling down — largely transparent.
Actually means
To get yourself or a boat settled in and secure and cosy, especially before bad weather.
Usage tip
In nautical contexts, 'snug down' means to secure a boat's rigging and hatches before a storm. In everyday use, it means to make oneself warm and comfortable. The nautical sense is more established.
Words that pair with "snug down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
for the night for the storm rigging hatches vessel cabin
How to conjugate "snug down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
snug down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
snugs down
he/she/it
Past simple
snuged down
yesterday
Past participle
snuged down
have + pp
-ing form
snuging down
continuous
Hear "snug down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "snug down"
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