ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take to the hills

idiom
Meaning

To flee or vanish; to run away.


Examples
SIMPLE

When the storm started, the campers took to the hills.

CONTEXTUAL

As soon as the angry crowd gathered outside the office, the manager took to the hills to avoid a confrontation.

COMPLEX

Realizing that their secret plan had been discovered by the authorities, the conspirators took to the hills before they could be arrested.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    be taken ill

    To become ill.

  2. 02

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  3. 03

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  4. 04

    get taken in

    To be fooled; to fall for.

  5. 05

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  6. 06

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  7. 07

    gold in them thar hills

    An opportunity for something to be profitable and/or beneficial.

  8. 08

    have one's name taken

    To receive a yellow card.

Last updated April 17, 2026