Writing Tip 334: “Hunker Down” vs. “Bunker Down”

There’s a strategy for being patient and waiting for something difficult to pass, and then there’s falling down after your golf ball lands in a sand trap. Which one do you mean?

The expression you’re looking for is to “hunker down.” To “bunker down” is not actually a thing.

I’ll admit that I’m taking some liberties with my second definition. To “bunker down” isn’t a real idiom, so I’m trying to find the best fit.

As a verb, “bunker” means:

To hit a ball into an obstacle like a sand trap on the golf course
To equip or fuel a vessel

As a noun, “bunker” means:

That golf course obstacle
A fortification, usually built under the ground
A large bin, chest or box

The confusion with the idea of endurance probably comes from this last definition of “bunker,” but even if you are in a bunker, you still want to “hunker” down while you’re there.

Of course, if you’re prone to bunker on the golf course, I suppose hiding there until the embarrassment passes is always another option, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Happy writing, folks!

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