be allowed to hide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be allowed to hide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permission or the ability to conceal oneself or something else. Example: "In this game, players will be allowed to hide in various locations to avoid being found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

He cannot be allowed to hide away.

The Guardian

But he must not be allowed to hide behind his stature as a statesman.

The New York Times

Universities cannot be allowed to hide away in the darkness when it comes to spending money.

The Guardian

But in Mr. Malec's and Mr. Koutoulas's views, the officials shouldn't be allowed to hide behind the calculation.

The New York Times

The UK government must not be allowed to hide behind the coattails of the US to cover up its wrongdoing".

The Guardian

They should not be allowed to hide behind amendments that would gut reform in the guise of realism.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Once, an artist was allowed to hide behind a vague and mysterious aura.

The Guardian - Arts

For years, Iraqis working with American units were allowed to hide their faces so that they could keep their heads on their necks.

The New Yorker

Norway was cautious because it studied the experience of the Netherlands, which suffered in the 1960's when natural gas revenues were allowed to hide problems in other industries.

The New York Times

Global Witness says that the mansion where he lives now was bought in the name of a company registered in Belize, where the true owners of companies are allowed to hide their identities.

Independent

The researchers set up experiments in which the birds were allowed to hide worms in a sand-filled tray, either while another bird was watching or in private, and then to recover the worms later in private.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be allowed to hide", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting the permission and what is being hidden. For instance, "During the drill, students will be allowed to hide under their desks."

Common error

Avoid using "be allowed to hide" when the context implies a moral or ethical obligation to reveal something. For example, it would be inappropriate to say "The company was allowed to hide the safety defects", as this suggests permission for unethical behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be allowed to hide" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating permission or possibility. It shows that someone or something has been granted the right or opportunity to conceal themselves or something else. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be allowed to hide" is a versatile expression signifying permission or the possibility of concealment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and sees frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and on wikis, albeit less commonly in formal or scientific discourse. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly specifies who grants the permission and what is being concealed. Alternatives like "be permitted to conceal" or "be authorized to obscure" can add a touch of formality, while "get to hide" offers a more casual option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be permitted to conceal

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted" and "hide" with "conceal", both synonyms, maintaining the core meaning.

be authorized to obscure

Substitutes "allowed" with "authorized", implying a more formal permission, and "hide" with "obscure", which suggests making something less clear or visible.

have permission to mask

Uses "have permission" instead of "be allowed", and "mask" instead of "hide", indicating covering or disguising something.

be entitled to shroud

Replaces "allowed" with "entitled", suggesting a right or privilege, and "hide" with "shroud", implying covering something to make it mysterious or unclear.

be sanctioned to camouflage

Replaces "allowed" with "sanctioned", indicating official approval, and "hide" with "camouflage", suggesting disguising something to blend in.

have leave to secrete

Uses "have leave" instead of "be allowed", suggesting formal permission, and "secrete" instead of "hide", implying concealing something carefully.

be given leave to cover up

Similar to 'have leave', implying formal permission to 'cover up', indicating concealment.

be granted the right to bury

Emphasizes the right to "bury" information or objects, implying a deliberate act of hiding.

be at liberty to keep out of sight

Indicates freedom or permission to remain hidden, emphasizing the state of being unseen.

be free to stash away

Suggests the freedom to hide something quickly and secretly, often temporarily.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be allowed to hide" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "be permitted to conceal" or "be authorized to obscure", which convey a sense of official authorization or permission.

What is a more informal way to say "be allowed to hide"?

Informally, you might say "get to hide" or "can hide", depending on the context. These options are more conversational and less formal.

Is there a difference between "be allowed to hide" and "be permitted to hide"?

The phrases "be allowed to hide" and "be permitted to hide" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. "Permitted" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "allowed", but the distinction is minimal.

When is it inappropriate to use "be allowed to hide"?

It's inappropriate to use "be allowed to hide" when it implies that someone has permission to conceal something that should be revealed, such as a crime or unethical behavior. This can create a sense of moral ambiguity.