Grammar fix
dig your heels in
stubbornly refuse
To stubbornly refuse to change your position or agree to something.
How oftenCommon
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He dug his heels in and refused to apologise, even after everyone explained what he had done wrong.
My little brother really digs his heels in when he doesn't want to leave the park, so my parents usually give him a few minutes to calm down.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: She dug her heel on the issue.
Say: She dug her heels in on the issue.
The idiom uses plural 'heels' and the particle 'in'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Refuse to change your position under pressure
How resistantFirmStubborn
stand firmApproving: holding your position under pressure because you think you're right; 'dig your heels in' sounds more stubborn.hold outRefusing to accept terms while hoping for something better.
dig your heels inYou're here · Stubbornly refusing to change your position or agree.