Hide Out Meaning
To hide out means go into hiding for an extended period to evade whoever is looking for you; to hide oneself so that one cannot be found by someone or something. 1Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.,2Spears, Richard A. McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.
Usage Notes
A place used to hide out can be called a hideout (hide-out), especially when it is a place usually designated for the purpose, in a secret location. Often used in old Western movies.
Sentence Examples
“We need to hide out for a while until things cool off.”
“The two bank robbers hid out in a cave, reminiscent of bandits from the old west.”
“After his embarrassing mistake, the actor hid out from the public in a cabin that his parents own.”
“The kid turned out to be a rat. As soon as he got pinched, he ratted on everybody.” “I know where he is. He’s hiding out.” — Goodfellas (1990)
“You know, in the olden days in Europe, people used to hide out in churches. They would claim sanctuary.” — The Sixth Sense (1999)
“No, I can’t tell you where I am, Mom. I was told not to say.” “I need to know where to reach you. You tell me to hide out at the cabin and you won’t tell me what’s going on?” — The Terminator (1984)
“Still hiding out with your friends?” “No, I’m… I’m not with them, Bill. I’m with you. I’m with the Natives.” — Gangs of New York (2002)
“In ’58 he murdered his family and half the people on his block with a snow shovel. Been hiding out in this neighborhood ever since.” — Home Alone (1990)
Origin
Used since the late 1800s.
