hole up

British  

verb

1. (of an animal) to hibernate, esp in a cave

2. informal to hide or remain secluded

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hole up Idioms  

1. Take refuge or shelter, hide, as in I spent most of the cruise holed up in my cabin. This usage alludes to animals hibernating in winter or hiding from attack in caves or holes. [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

I clear my schedule and hole up in the library, only to fritter away hours doing everything but writing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

This month, you and your partner can escape to the Catskills and hole up in one of 11 new private cabins called the Rounds.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2024

Beyond the immediate threat to human health, extended periods of extreme heat can zap regional economies as workers and consumers hole up in their homes and offices.

From Scientific American • Jul. 21, 2023

The narrative also gets The Mother reunited with Zoe, who does not seem very pleased by this development, in part because they hole up in a remote cabin in Alaska with no cell phones.

From Salon • May 12, 2023

He would hole up in the plane and wait it out.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

Related Words

• hide