foxhole
C1Formal, Military, Journalistic, Figurative
Definition
Meaning
A small, hastily dug pit for an individual soldier to take cover in during battle.
Any small, defensive shelter or position; also used metaphorically to describe a state of isolation, ideological entrenchment, or narrow focus within one's own perspective, especially during a crisis.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term's primary meaning is literal and military. Its powerful figurative usage ('retreat into one's foxhole') is common in political, business, and social commentary to describe defensive, insular behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the literal military and figurative senses.
Connotations
Identical connotations of basic protection, urgency, and, figuratively, defensive isolation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to its prevalence in U.S. political and media discourse ('foxhole mentality').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + foxhole: dig, occupy, scramble into, share a foxholeADJECTIVE + foxhole: muddy, shallow, makeshift, ideological, politicalfoxhole + NOUN: foxhole buddy/companion, foxhole mentality/psychologyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “foxhole buddies (close comrades in adversity)”
- “a foxhole mentality (a defensive, insular mindset)”
- “there are no atheists in foxholes (extreme stress leads to belief)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"During the merger talks, each department retreated into its own foxhole." (Figurative: defensive siloing)
Academic
"The study examined the 'foxhole' effect in group dynamics under stress." (Figurative: psychological isolation)
Everyday
"The soldiers spent the night in a muddy foxhole." (Literal)
Technical
"The manual details the standard dimensions for a hasty fighting foxhole." (Literal, military)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The unit was ordered to foxhole in the wooded area for the night.
American English
- We need to foxhole here until the artillery barrage stops.
adjective
British English
- He described a foxhole existence of constant fear and discomfort.
American English
- Their foxhole camaraderie was forged under intense fire.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The soldier jumped into the foxhole for safety.
- The news talked about soldiers in their foxholes.
- Digging a proper foxhole can save a soldier's life.
- The CEO accused his rivals of having a foxhole mentality, unwilling to collaborate.
- The memoir's most poignant chapters detail the shared fears and jokes between foxhole companions.
- Amid the scandal, politicians from both parties retreated to their partisan foxholes, ending any hope of dialogue.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FOX digging a HOLE to hide from hunters. A soldier digs a FOXHOLE to hide from enemy fire.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS WAR; a difficult situation is a battle; psychological defensiveness is a physical defensive position.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как "нора лисы". Это ошибка. Военный термин — "окоп" (чаще для индивидуального окопа), "стрелковая ячейка". В переносном смысле — "уходить в себя/в оборону", "занимать оборонительную позицию".
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'foxhole' with 'bunker' (a bunker is larger and fortified).
- Using it literally in non-military contexts where 'pit' or 'hole' would be more natural.
- Spelling as two words ('fox hole') – it's typically a single compound noun.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'foxhole' used FIGURATIVELY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, closed compound noun: 'foxhole'.
Yes, in military jargon it can mean 'to dig or occupy a foxhole' (e.g., 'The platoon foxholed for the night'), but this is less common than the noun form.
A term for a soldier with whom one shares a foxhole, implying an intense bond of trust and camaraderie forged under dangerous conditions. It's often used figuratively for any close ally in a difficult situation.
A foxhole is a small, individual or two-person pit. A trench is a long, narrow excavation for multiple soldiers, often connecting various positions. A foxhole is more basic and hasty.