1 B1 neutral
To put something in a secret or concealed place so it cannot be easily found.
"She hid away her grandmother's jewellery in a box under the floorboards."
separable
hide away
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To put something in a secret place, or to go somewhere private and secluded.
In plain English
To put something somewhere secret so nobody can find it, or to go somewhere quiet where nobody will bother you.
What does "hide away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To go to a quiet, private, or remote place to avoid other people or find peace.
"After months of touring, the band hid away in a remote farmhouse to write new material."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hide something away from a location.
Actually means
To put something somewhere secret so nobody can find it, or to go somewhere quiet where nobody will bother you.
Usage tip
Can refer to objects (hiding things away) or to people (retreating to a secluded place). As a noun, a 'hideaway' is a private, secluded refuge. Common in both British and American English.
Words that pair with "hide away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money valuables cottage island retreat secrets
How to conjugate "hide away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hide away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hides away
he/she/it
Past simple
hid away
yesterday
Past participle
hidden away
have + pp
-ing form
hiding away
continuous
Hear "hide away" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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