IdiomBody & Senses

English

dig one's heels in

Meaning: To refuse stubbornly to change one's mind.

Example: “The toddler dug her heels in and refused to wear the coat.”

Origin: Someone being pulled along plants their heels in the ground to resist. The figurative phrase is common from the 20th century.

Equivalents in other languages

Swedish: Att sätta sig på tvären Literally: To sit down crosswise
Hungarian: Nem enged a negyvennyolcból Literally: He won't budge from the forty-eight

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More English idioms

raze to the ground To destroy a building or town completely.
the law of the jungle A situation where the strongest or most ruthless win.
dig one's own grave To cause one's own downfall.
wouldn't hurt a fly Is very gentle and harmless.
in borrowed plumes Pretending to qualities or achievements that belong to someone else.
come in handy To be useful when needed.

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