hole up

verb

holed up; holing up; holes up

intransitive verb

: to hide out in or as if in a hole or cave

transitive verb

: to place in or as if in a refuge or hiding place

Synonyms of hole up

• hide
• lurk
• lie

Examples of hole up in a Sentence

we'll hole up in the cellar and wait out the hurricane

Recent Examples on the Web

On the day of our video chat, Alejandro and Estevan—currently on tour with Jack Johnson—are spending a morning holed up in their hotel rooms and understandably side-eyeing TVs in the background. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 July 2026

Audiophiles can spend their days holed up in the dedicated music-listening room, while children have their own hideaway, a playroom equipped with a climbing wall, monkey bars, a swing, and a floor that is both padded and heated. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2026

Out and about The Dutch players were not interested in staying holed up in the Cascade Hotel when not training. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

Last year, riders from multiple teams holed up in Sierra Nevada held unofficial races to try to claim downhill Strava KOM segments. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for hole up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

hole up

verb

: to take shelter in or as if in a hole or cave