Definition

Verb: 1. To lower the body into a squatting position, typically by bending the knees deeply and often resting the weight on the balls of the feet or the heels. This position is close to the ground and can imply waiting, hiding, or taking shelter. 2. To settle in or occupy a place, often in a determined, persistent, or defensive manner.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Physical Position):
  • The gardener hunkered down to examine the roots of the plant closely.
  • We hunkered behind the wall, waiting for the noise to pass.
• Verb (Settling In):
  • The reporters hunkered outside the courthouse, determined to get a statement.
  • As the storm approached, the family hunkered in the basement.

Advanced Usage

• "to hunker down": This is the most common phrasal form. It intensifies the core meanings:
  • To crouch or squat down low, often for protection or concealment.

    • Soldiers hunkered down in their trenches during the artillery barrage.
  • To settle in for a long, concentrated, or defensive period; to focus on getting through a difficult situation.

    • With deadlines approaching, the students hunkered down in the library to study.
    • The company is hunkering down to survive the economic downturn.

Variants and Related Words

• Hunkers (noun, informal): Refers to one's haunches or the squatting position itself.
  • He sat on his hunkers, talking to the child at eye level.

Synonyms

• Squat: To crouch with the knees bent and the heels close to or touching the buttocks.
• Crouch: To bend the knees and lower the body, often to avoid detection or prepare to spring.
• Duck: To lower the head or body quickly, especially to avoid a blow or object.
• Settle in: To establish oneself comfortably in a place.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hunker down: (See "Advanced Usage" above for detailed explanation and examples.)

Related Idioms

• To get one's hunkers down (informal, variant of "hunker down"): To apply oneself seriously to a task.
  • If you want to pass the exam, you need to get your hunkers down and revise.

Verb

1. sit on one's heels
   • In some cultures, the women give birth while squatting
   • The children hunkered down to protect themselves from the sandstorm