hide away

USAGE SUMMARY

"hide away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal idiom that means to retreat from a difficult or unpleasant situation. Example: After his argument with his parents, he decided to hide away in his bedroom for the rest of the night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He'd hide away.

The New York Times - Magazine

He will not hide away.

The Guardian - Sport

Many acid attack victims hide away.

Independent

Or to hide away in loneliness.

The Guardian - Music

You can't hide away from this.

The Guardian - Sport

"I hide away from the press".

The New York Times - Magazine

He cannot be allowed to hide away.

The Guardian

Or just hide away in your luxurious room.

Independent

They just hide away until the race weekend.

The New York Times - Sports

Our response to that must not be to hide away.

Independent

"I'm not going to hide away from that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hide away" when you want to convey a sense of retreat or concealment, often to avoid something unpleasant or to seek privacy. For example: "After the argument, she decided to hide away in her room."

Common error

While "hide away" is acceptable, it can sound informal. In professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "seclude oneself" or "retreat" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "hide away" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, describing the act of concealing oneself or something else. Ludwig provides examples of its usage across various contexts, reinforcing its grammatical function as a verb of action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hide away" is a phrasal verb that means to conceal oneself or something, often to avoid detection or seek privacy. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, although it tends to be more informal. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, with usage patterns indicating a neutral to informal register. When writing, remember that while acceptable, more formal alternatives like "seclude oneself" might be preferable in certain professional or academic contexts. Ludwig's examples showcase a wide range of practical usages, helping you understand how to effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep out of sight

Focuses on remaining unseen and avoiding attention.

go into hiding

Highlights the act of concealing oneself to avoid detection or capture.

hole up

Informal way to say someone is hiding or sheltering in a place.

seclude oneself

Emphasizes isolating oneself from others, often for privacy or peace.

go to ground

Suggests concealing oneself to avoid being pursued or found.

sequester oneself

Similar to seclude, but often suggests a more formal or enforced isolation.

secret oneself

Highlights the act of concealing ones presence.

take refuge

Suggests seeking shelter or protection in a safe place.

retreat from the world

Implies a withdrawal from everyday life, seeking solitude.

withdraw from society

Implies a more permanent and significant separation from social interaction.

FAQs

How can I use "hide away" in a sentence?

You can use "hide away" to describe someone or something retreating to a private or concealed place. For example, "The cat likes to hide away under the bed when guests come over."

What does "hide away" mean?

"Hide away" means to conceal oneself or something, often to avoid detection or unpleasantness. It implies seeking refuge or privacy.

What can I say instead of "hide away"?

You can use alternatives like "seclude oneself", "go into hiding", or "take refuge" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hidden away" instead of "hide away"?

Yes, "hidden away" is a valid past participle form. "Hide away" is the infinitive form, while "hidden away" describes something that has already been concealed.