# dig in one's heels

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dig-in-ones-heels
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To act in a determined manner by firmly maintaining one's beliefs, demands, situation, etc. in the face of opposition.

## Examples

- He digs in his heels when he disagrees with his boss.
- She digs in her heels when her parents try to choose her clothes.
- The manager wanted to change the schedule, but the team dug in their heels and refused to work weekends.
- The landlord tried to increase the rent early, but the tenants dug in their heels and pointed to the legal terms in their signed contract.
- Despite the mounting pressure from the board to compromise, the CEO dug in her heels, insisting that the original vision for the company remain unchanged.

## Origin

The expression derives from the physical necessity of planting one's heels firmly into the earth to secure a foothold. The posture is most commonly associated with the mechanical requirements of a tug of war, where pulling requires a fixed anchor, or with the act of bracing oneself to resist an oncoming push. It stands in contrast to the related physical metaphor of dragging one's feet, which describes a deliberate lack of momentum.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.