Phrase guide

take to the hills

verb · 1 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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1

verb

Meaning 1

To flee or vanish; to run away.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: run for the hills, take to one's heels, get out of Dodge, take a powder
  • He often took to the hills when his mother-in-law was in town.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: run for the hills, take to one's heels, get out of Dodge, take a powder

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

26 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ottaa hatkat — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Finnish: ottaa Ritolat — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: prendre la clef des champs — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: prendre la fuite — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: prendre le large — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: prendre la poudre d'escampette — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: prendre ses jambes à son cou — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: se faire la malle — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: se faire la belle — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: se faire la paire — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: mettre les voiles — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: prendre la tangente — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: fuir — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • French: s'enfuir — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • German: das Weite suchen — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • German: sich abseilen — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • German: sich dünnmachen — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • German: sich verkrümeln — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Polish: zmywać się — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Polish: zmyć się — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Polish: ulatniać się — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Polish: ulotnić się — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Spanish: poner tierra de por medio — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Spanish: echarse al monte — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Spanish: cojer las maletas — idioms meaning "to run away"
  • Spanish: hacer las maletas — idioms meaning "to run away"