HUNKER DOWN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hunker down mean? 

• HUNKER DOWN (verb)
  The verb HUNKER DOWN has 3 senses:

1. sit on one's heels

2. take shelter

3. hold stubbornly to a position

  Familiarity information: HUNKER DOWN used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HUNKER DOWN (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Sit on one's heels

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

crouch; hunker; hunker down; scrunch; scrunch up; squat

Context example:

The children hunkered down to protect themselves from the sandstorm

Hypernyms (to "hunker down" is one way to...):

sit; sit down (be seated)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Take shelter

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Context example:

During the sandstorm, they hunkered down in a small hut

Hypernyms (to "hunker down" is one way to...):

hide; hide out (be or go into hiding; keep out of sight, as for protection and safety)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Hold stubbornly to a position

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

The wife hunkered down and the husband's resistance began to break down

Hypernyms (to "hunker down" is one way to...):

hold firm; stand fast; stand firm; stand pat (refuse to abandon one's opinion or belief)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

 Context examples 

For instance: Opportunity, as a solar powered rover, would have to hunker down to save energy; the upcoming InSight lander's parameters would need to be adjusted for safe entry, descent and landing in November; and all the cameras on rovers and orbiters would need to deal with low visibility.

(Dust Storms Linked to Gas Escape from Mars Atmosphere, NASA)