godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
cling to; hang on to
Physical sense: gripping something and not letting go, often with the nuance of hanging or dangling from it.
子供が父親の腕に食い下がって離れなかった。
The child clung to his father's arm and wouldn't let go.
猫がカーテンに食
The cat is hanging on to the curtain.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
persist; hound; refuse to back down
Figurative sense: tenaciously pursuing someone or an argument, not giving up. Often used in debates, negotiations, or confrontations.
記者は大臣に食い下がって質問を続けた。
The reporter persisted with questions, not letting the minister off the hook.
彼は最後まで自分の意見に食い下がった。
He stuck to his opinion to the very end.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
sumo technique: grab the mawashi and lower one's hips
Sumo-specific technique: grabbing the front of the opponent's mawashi, pressing one's head against their chest, and lowering one's hips to gain leverage.
横綱は食い下がって相手の動きを止めた。
The yokozuna grabbed the mawashi and lowered his hips to stop his opponent's movement.