Phrasal verb
hide out
Definition
phrasal verb. to stay in a secret place so that people, like the police or enemies, cannot find you.
phrasal verb. to remain in a concealed location to avoid detection, capture, or unwanted attention; often implies a temporary state of evasion.
Examples
“The bank robbers decided to hide out in an old cabin.”
“After the scandal broke, the celebrity went to the mountains to hide out until the media interest died down.”
“The resistance fighters were forced to hide out in the dense forest for weeks while enemy patrols combed the nearby villages.”
Examples
simple
“The bank robbers decided to hide out in an old cabin.”
contextual
“After the scandal broke, the celebrity went to the mountains to hide out until the media interest died down.”
complex
“The resistance fighters were forced to hide out in the dense forest for weeks while enemy patrols combed the nearby villages.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hide out” in context.
Verb
01. decide to hide out
“The bank robbers decided to hide out in an old farmhouse until the police left the area.”
verb + infinitive
02. force them to hide out
“The heavy rain forced the soldiers to hide out in a nearby cave for two days.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. hide out and wait
“We had to hide out and wait for the storm to pass before we could continue our journey.”
verb + and + verb
Preposition
04. hide out for a week
“He had to hide out for a week before it was safe to return home.”
verb + prep + noun
05. hide out in a cabin
“The fugitive was hiding out in a cabin deep in the woods.”
verb + prep + noun
Adverb
06. hide out quietly
“The children were hiding out quietly in the attic during the game of hide-and-seek.”
verb + adv
07. safely hide out
“They managed to safely hide out in the basement until the danger was over.”
adv + verb
Usage
often used with the preposition 'in' or 'at' to specify the location of concealment.
Teaching tip
contrast with the simple verb 'hide'; 'hide out' suggests a longer duration and a specific intent to evade a search party or authority.
Pitfall
They are hiding out them in the cellar.
They are hiding out in the cellar.
this phrasal verb is intransitive; you cannot 'hide out' someone else, you can only 'hide' them.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
hide + out
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/hide-out