1.
to hang on; to persist; to refuse to back down
To stubbornly pursue a point, argument, or negotiation without giving up. Conveys tenacity in pressing for an answer or result.
記者がしつこく食い下がった。
The reporter persistently pressed for answers.
一度断られても食い下がるべきだ。
You should persist even if you're turned down once.
相手の説明に納得できず、最後まで食い下がって質問を続けた。
Unsatisfied with the other person's explanation, I kept pressing with questions to the end.
An intransitive godan verb. The image is of biting (食う) and hanging on, like a dog that won't let go. Often carries a positive nuance of admirable tenacity, though it can also imply being annoyingly persistent.
ASPECT (ている):
食い下がっている describes an ongoing state of persistent questioning or negotiation.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- ～に食い下がる (to persist against someone; not common — usually used without a specific target particle)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- しつこく食い下がる (to persistently press)
- 最後まで食い下がる (to persist to the very end)
- 簡単に引き下がらず食い下がる (to persist without backing down easily)