dig in one's heels
Stand firmly against
To dig in one's heels is to refuse to change one's position or course of action, especially when facing pressure to yield.
The image is of someone bracing against being pushed or dragged forward: Management wanted to cut benefits, but the union dug in its heels.
The phrase suggests stubborn resistance that may be principled or merely obstinate.
- obstinacyUnyielding adherence to position
- stand one's groundRefuse to back down
- plant one's feetEstablish an immovable stance
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- hold firmMaintain one's position
put one's foot down · opposition · defiance · draw a line · doggedness · mulishness · hold out · resolve · recalcitrance · hard line · rigidity · perseverance · refusal · weather the storm · stick to one's guns · hold the line · grit · fortitude
dig in one's heelsgive in
Cease resistance, concede
yield · capitulate · cave in · bend · compromise
dig in one's heelsgo with the flow
Accept situations without resistance
adapt · reconsider · waver · vacillate · hedge
digging, digs, digger, diggers, heel, heels, heeled, heeling