hole up

verb

Etymology: From hole + up. Attested from the 19th century.

1. To go into a hole, to shelter in a hole.

   “In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan bears enter winter dens in October; in the South, later; even in Florida bears “hole up” during the coldest weather.”

2. To hide.

   “The guerrillas holed up in a small cave.”

   “The battle ended a two-day siege of an apartment block, where the suspects were holed up.”