hole up

verb

holed up; holing up; holes up
Synonyms of hole upnext

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

Examples of hole up in a Sentence

we'll hole up in the cellar and wait out the hurricane
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Bum-seok encounters a grizzled elder holed up under a bridge and goes on a brief monster-hunt foray with him, which ends when the pair open fire on the critter through a closed door, only to discover it was actually the local butcher making a phone call. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 May 2026 The Bridgehampton compound that Olivier Sarkozy and Mary-Kate Olsen holed up in during the pandemic is for sale for the first time since their split. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 15 May 2026 All Hell sounded like CFCF holed up in a hotel on a diet of Jack Daniels and Eddie Rabbitt tapes. Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026 Can that happen while holed up in a luxury resort, sipping coffee and watching whales from the balcony? Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hole up

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of hole up was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hole up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hole%20up. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

hole up

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