# holed

/ˈhoʊɫd/ (US) · /hˈəʊld/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/holed
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

hiding or staying in a safe place, often because you are trying to avoid other people or trouble.

For teachers: remaining in a secure or secluded location, typically for protection or to avoid detection. Often appears in the phrasal form 'holed up' and follows a linking verb.

## Examples

- The hikers were holed up in a small cabin during the storm.
- The suspect remained holed up in the apartment for several hours before finally surrendering to the police.
- While the rest of the team celebrated at the gala, the lead researcher stayed holed up in the laboratory, determined to finalize the data before the morning deadline.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They were hold up in the house." but "They were holed up in the house." — Learners often confuse the spelling with 'hold' because the phrase implies staying in one place, but it comes from the noun 'hole'.

## Usage notes

- Typically used predicatively after 'be', 'stay', or 'remain'. Frequently pairs with the particle 'up'.

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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.