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

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2024

He shuts down the saw and wriggles through the raw hole, up the ladder behind it, and into the garret.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

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