The phrasal verb "hide out" is predominantly used in informal speech, often surfacing in colloquial contexts such as storytelling, narrative accounts, or casual conversation. It is commonly employed to describe a situation where someone conceals themselves in a particular place, often due to being pursued or wanting to avoid detection, which can be relevant in contexts involving secretive, mischievous, or even criminal activities, such as "After the robbery, the thieves decided to hide out in a remote cabin." In terms of general usage patterns, "hide out" usually implies a temporary nature of hiding, with the sense of urgency or necessity, and is often associated with themes of escape or evasion. Its use in formal writing or speech is rare and might appear only in reported speech or when describing narrative plots. The element of evasion captured in "hide out" can often be part of idiomatic expressions where it adds a layer of dramatic tension or adventure.
B2
UpperIntermediate
1. To stay in a secret place to avoid being discovered or captured, especially by authorities.
The fugitive decided to hide out in the woods until the search was called off.
After the robbery, the culprits hid out in an abandoned cabin.
She had to hide out in a friend's house to avoid the reporters.
The rebels are believed to be hiding out in the mountains.
During the war, they hid out in a cellar to escape detection.