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

See Examples For:

hole up

But some like Jean-Pierre Glenadel, who ignored the call to evacuate Lanton to hole up in his garden-gnome-adorned house with a vegetable patch instead, were more worried about what comes next.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

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

Holly’s sudden social-media fame as a wood-splitting DIY farm fatale sends Alison into full freakout mode: Maybe she shouldn’t hole up in her studio and write the next book.

From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2025

Across the region, once-busy parks, shops and businesses have emptied as undocumented residents and their families hole up at home in fear.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2025

As I treated them with ointment I decided to hole up until the weather eased a bit—I thought overnight.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• hide