# hiding

/ˈhaɪdɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈaɪdɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hiding
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. state of concealment

noun · CEFR B1

the state of staying out of sight so that people cannot find you.

For teachers: the state of being hidden or in concealment. Often used in the phrase 'in hiding'.

- The famous writer went into hiding after the scandal broke.
- The political dissident remained in hiding for several months, moving between safe houses to avoid detection by the authorities.

Usage: Commonly follows the prepositions 'in' or 'into'.

### 2. a physical beating

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

a physical punishment where someone is hit many times.

For teachers: a severe physical beating or thrashing, typically as a form of corporal punishment.

- The boy was worried he would get a hiding for breaking the window.
- In those days, children expected a sound hiding if they were caught stealing apples from the neighbour's orchard.

Teaching tip: This sense is primarily British and feels quite old-fashioned or rural; it is rarely used in modern professional contexts.

### 3. a place to hide

noun · CEFR B2

a place where you can stay without being seen.

For teachers: a physical location used for concealment.

- The children found a perfect hiding place behind the old oak tree.
- The detective discovered a secret hiding spot beneath the floorboards where the stolen documents had been kept.

## Examples

- Our football team took a real hiding in the final match.
- The local candidate was expected to win, but she ended up taking a hiding at the polls.
- After the underdog team suffered a ten-goal hiding, the manager faced intense questioning regarding his defensive strategy and the players' lack of discipline.

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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.