hole up
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Go somewhere and stay there to hide or be left alone
Literal meaning: To enter and stay inside a hole, like an animal hiding in its burrow
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To hide in a place to avoid danger, unwanted attention, or pursuit
"The suspects holed up in an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To retreat to a private place to work, rest, or wait out a difficult period
"She holed up in a remote cottage for three weeks to finish writing her novel."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in American and British informal English. Often used when someone retreats from the world, sometimes due to danger, bad weather, or a desire for privacy. The image is of an animal retreating into its burrow.
Commonly used with
hideout cabin apartment safe house winter storm
Forms
Base
hole up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
holes up
he/she/it
Past simple
holed up
yesterday
Past participle
holed up
have + pp
-ing form
holing up
continuous
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Synonyms
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