1. to crouch or squat down low
2. to settle in for a long period, especially to wait out difficult conditions
Usage: often used with ‘down’

Examples

• The children hunkered behind the fence during the game of hide-and-seek.
• She hunkered down in the tall grass to watch the deer.
• We decided to hunker down at home during the snowstorm.
• The family hunkered down for the long winter ahead.
• He hunkered in the corner, trying to stay warm.
• The team hunkered down and focused on their work.
• They hunkered down in the basement during the tornado warning.