hole up

Definition of hole upnext
as in to hide
to remain out of sight we'll hole up in the cellar and wait out the hurricane

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hole up 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 See All Example Sentences for hole up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hole up
Verb
  • Dress up your table for your next dinner party with these linen placemats, or hide away blankets, books, and other clutter in this coffee table with secret storage.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the park’s makeup team constructed prosthetic eyelashes that hide a rice-sized LED light that hangs in front of the performer’s eyes.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Regardless of whether mines still lurk in the water, Iran's threat to attack ships has kept traffic to a minimum.
    Mark Osborne, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Superstitious Romans imagined demons lurking in the darkness under the toilet seats.
    Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The vast Ardabil Carpet (Maqsud Kashani, 1539–40), for instance, lies flat in an even vaster gallery, whereas a Qing dynasty chaopao, or formal court robe, hangs in a small, shallow chamber.
    Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Do not lie or lean on concrete floors and walls during thunderstorms, as lightning can travel through metal wires or bars found in concrete walls and flooring.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hole up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hole%20up. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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