dig one's heels in
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Refuse to change one's plans or ideas, especially when counseled otherwise.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Imported from Wikipedia “English-language idioms” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29), pending review.
Common questions
What does “dig one's heels in” mean?
Refuse to change one's plans or ideas, especially when counseled otherwise.
Is “dig one's heels in” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.