# crawl into a hole

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/crawl-into-a-hole
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To hide or disappear due to feelings of extreme embarrassment, shame, or helplessness; to withdraw from reality.

## Examples

- I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to crawl into a hole.
- After tripping on stage in front of the whole school, he just wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
- Following the public failure of his long-term project, he felt such profound shame that he wished he could simply crawl into a hole and hide from the world.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.