hole up
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To hide or take shelter in a secluded place, often for an extended period.
To isolate oneself, typically to avoid detection, danger, or interaction; to retreat into a secure or hidden location.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a defensive, secretive, or protective motive. Can carry connotations of temporary refuge, evasion, or waiting out a period of danger or difficulty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties. The term is understood and used in both regions.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American English in journalistic or narrative contexts describing fugitives or people in hiding.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both varieties; more likely in spoken narratives, news reports, or informal writing than in formal prose.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + hole up + [Prepositional Phrase (in/at location)][Subject] + hole up + [Adverbial (for duration)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go to ground (similar meaning)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The CEO holed up with her advisors to finalise the merger.'
Academic
Very rare. Not typical academic vocabulary.
Everyday
Common in informal storytelling: 'We holed up in the cottage during the storm.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The suspects are believed to have holed up in a disused warehouse.
- After the scandal, he holed up at his country estate for months.
American English
- The fugitives holed up in a motel outside of town.
- Let's just hole up here until the blizzard passes.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat holed up under the bed during the thunderstorm.
- They holed up in their tent because of the rain.
- Journalists holed up in the hotel to file their reports as the protests grew.
- The rebels holed up in the mountains, making them difficult to find.
- The writer holed up in a remote cottage to finish her novel, cut off from all distractions.
- Fearing arrest, the whistleblower holed up in the embassy, seeking diplomatic protection.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a rabbit holing up in its burrow to stay safe from a fox. The word 'hole' is literally in the phrase.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / HIDING IS GOING INTO A HOLE. Seeking safety is conceptualised as retreating into a small, enclosed, protective space.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'to dig a hole' ('рыть яму').
- Avoid direct translation that implies creating a hole. The phrase is about occupying a hiding place, not making one.
Common Mistakes
- Using it transitively (e.g., 'He holed up the cabin' is wrong). It is intransitive and requires a preposition like 'in'.
- Confusing it with 'hold up', which means to delay or rob.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely meaning of 'hole up' in this sentence: 'The celebrities holed up in a luxury villa to avoid the paparazzi.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an informal, idiomatic phrasal verb. It is not suitable for formal academic or official writing.
Rarely. It is usually neutral or slightly negative, implying hiding from something unpleasant. However, it can be used positively for a cozy retreat, e.g., 'holing up with a good book.'
The most common preposition is 'in' (hole up in a cabin). 'At' is also possible (hole up at a friend's house). It can be followed by 'for' to indicate duration (hole up for the night).
They are very close synonyms. 'Hole up' often emphasises the sheltering aspect and can imply a degree of comfort or intentional seclusion. 'Hide out' more strongly emphasises the evasion of discovery and is often associated with criminals or fugitives.
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