hole up
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To go into a hole, to shelter in a hole.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan bears enter winter dens in October; in the South, later; even in Florida bears “hole up” during the coldest weather.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To hide.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “hole up” mean?
To go into a hole, to shelter in a hole.
Is “hole up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.