digs in
Refuses to budge
Digs in has two main clusters of meaning.
The literal sense involves pushing something into a surface: She digs in her heels to stop sliding.
From this comes the figurative sense of refusing to yield or change position: Management digs in whenever the union makes demands.
The other sense involves starting to eat with enthusiasm: The food arrived and everyone dug in.
- entrenchesSecures in fixed position
- embedsFixes within something
- burrowsAnimal-dug underground shelters
- takes rootBecomes firmly fixed
- perseveresContinues despite difficulty
puts down roots · persists · defends · commits · braces · wedges · focuses · anchors · fortifies · steadies · resolves · buckles down · prepares · resists · endures · establishes · hardens · positions
digs ingives in
Ceases to resist
backs down · yields · retreats · caves · relents
digs inretreats
Backs off or sanctuaries
withdraws · falls back · flees · evacuates · pulls out
digs inholds back
Restrains or delays
refrains · abstains · hesitates · picks at · pushes away