anchor down
Fix in place
Anchor down means to secure firmly in place, either literally by dropping an anchor or figuratively by settling into a stable position.
A boat anchors down in a harbor; a person might anchor down in a new city after years of moving around.
The phrase emphasizes commitment to staying put: We're going to anchor down here and ride out the storm.
In sports contexts, especially football, it describes a defensive stance that refuses to give ground.
- secureProtected from harm
- moorUncultivated peaty upland
- fastenFix securely in position
- hold fastMaintain firm grip
- dockMooring structure at water's edge
safe harbor · settle · dig in · steady · stabilize · harbor · rope · chain · seabed · boat · ship · weight · hold · fix · ground · planted · immovable · storm
- Nautical Idiomsall hands on deck, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat, rock the boat
- sea idiomsall at sea, dead in the water, smooth sailing, sink or swim, miss the boat
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
anchor downset sail
Begin a sea journey
cast off · weigh anchor · set adrift · adrift · get underway
anchor, down, anchors, anchored, anchoring, anchorage, downed, downing, downs