Phrase guide

hole up

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To go into a hole, to shelter in a hole.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To hide.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • The guerrillas holed up in a small cave.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

sleep during winter

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Bears must eat a lot of food before they hibernate in their caves

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hibernate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sleep, kip, slumber, log Z's, catch some Z's

4

verb

Meaning 4

score a hole in one

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: score, hit, tally, rack up

5

verb

Meaning 5

remain secluded or in hiding

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He is writing his book and is holing up in his study

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: hide, hide out

History

Etymology

From hole + up. Attested from the 19th century.