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

It’s a sanctuary city where we defiantly hole up in peace.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2024

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

This apartment would be a classy place to hole up in for a while, but that’s a luxury we can’t afford.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• hide