hunker down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Take cover; settle in low
Why “down”? Something is pressed down and kept from rising again.
“We hunkered down during the storm.”
“The hikers hunkered down behind a rock.”
Test yourself
“We hunkered down during the storm.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
bog down
Same down pattern: pressure
Slow or get stuck
bring down
Same down pattern: pressure
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
clamp down
Same down pattern: pressure
Impose strict control
crack down
Same down pattern: pressure
Take strict action against bad behaviour
face down
Same down pattern: pressure
Confront a challenge or opponent directly
hold down
Same down pattern: pressure
Keep someone or something restrained
keep down
Same down pattern: pressure
Prevent from rising or escaping
lay down
Same down pattern: pressure
Put something carefully onto a flat surface; State a rule or principle clearly; Sacrifice or give up something, especially one's life
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