shelter in place

American  

[shel-ter in pleys] / ˈʃɛl tər ɪn ˈpleɪs /

Or shelter-in-place

noun

1. an official order, issued during an emergency, that directs people to stay in the indoor place or building that they already occupy and not to leave unless absolutely necessary.

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verb (used without object)

1. to stay in a safe indoor place or building during an emergency.

   If police believe there is an active shooter on campus, they will order students and faculty to shelter in place.

Etymology

Origin of shelter in place

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

The pipeline break, which some residents said sounded like the roar of a jet engine, occurred Saturday afternoon and forced a nearly four-hour closure of the freeway, as area residents were ordered to shelter in place.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles County firefighters were responding to a gas line explosion in Castaic on Saturday, which prompted the California Highway Patrol to close a portion of the 5 Freeway and the Fire Department to order residents to shelter in place.

From Los Angeles Times

The California Department of Transportation warned that flooding could occur with little notice and advised residents to evacuate or prepare to shelter in place.

From Los Angeles Times

He rushed back to his dorm as authorities converged on the campus and students and local residents were ordered to shelter in place.

From The Wall Street Journal

Officials lifted a shelter in place order earlier Sunday when they determined that there was no additional threat.

From The Wall Street Journal