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

Wareheim — whose surrealist, absurdist work across film and television as an actor, writer, director and producer reshaped contemporary comedy — lately has been holed up at all hours at this sprawling indoor-outdoor compound called Serpentine. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

That was a hint to Latin Mafia and Fred meeting up in Mexico City where they’re currently holed up in a studio with Benjy. — Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026

On game days, Jones would arrive at Bank of America Stadium in the morning and hole up in the weight room. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 25 July 2026

The reason he’s been holed up in his room and acting differently doesn’t have to do with a victimless traffic violation. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 July 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