hide under the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hide under the table" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is seeking shelter or trying to avoid detection, often in a humorous or exaggerated manner. Example: "When the thunderstorm hit, the dog ran to hide under the table, trembling with fear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I think I'll go hide under the table now.

The Guardian - Business

I would hide under the table and listen.

The Guardian

In particular, he warns, Californians should be getting ready to hide under the table.

The New Yorker

"When they came round she used to hide under the table or behind the curtains," Neal Gray said.

The Guardian

"So many Americans, when the president speaks, we hide under the table," he told a Montreal audience in March 2003.

The New York Times

"When they came round she used to hide under the table or behind the curtains," said Neil Gray.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

His teacher told the students to hide under the tables, where they remained for at least an hour, until an army officer came into the class.

Vice

Victor sees someone he knows and hides under the table.

The New Yorker

I hid under the table as power went out.

The New York Times

I hid under the table, but was soon found..

The New York Times

The class's history teacher started crying and hid under the table.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hide under the table" to vividly depict a character's fear, vulnerability, or desire to avoid a situation. This phrase is particularly effective in creating a sense of immediacy and emotion in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hide under the table" in formal contexts where a more sophisticated expression of seeking refuge or avoiding responsibility is required. This phrase often carries a connotation of childishness or panic, which may not be suitable for every situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hide under the table" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating an action performed by someone or something. It vividly describes the act of seeking shelter or avoiding something, often due to fear or a desire to remain unseen. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hide under the table" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that vividly describes seeking shelter or avoiding a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, where its directness and emotional impact are effective. While alternatives like "take cover beneath the table" offer more formal options, the original phrase remains a potent and recognizable way to convey fear, vulnerability, or a desire to escape.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take cover beneath the table

Replaces "hide" with "take cover" and "under" with "beneath", emphasizing the action of seeking protection.

shelter under the table

Uses "shelter" instead of "hide", highlighting the act of finding safety.

crouch beneath the table

Specifies the action of crouching, adding detail to how someone hides.

take refuge under the table

Replaces "hide" with "take refuge", which is a more formal expression.

seek safety under the table

Emphasizes the motive for hiding, which is to find safety.

conceal oneself under the table

Uses more formal language to describe the act of hiding.

duck under the table

Emphasizes a quick and sudden movement to hide.

scramble under the table

Highlights a hurried and uncoordinated movement to hide.

go to ground under the table

Uses an idiomatic expression suggesting a retreat to safety.

take shelter beneath the tabletop

Replaces "table" with "tabletop", specifying a part of the table.

FAQs

How can I use "hide under the table" in a sentence?

You can use "hide under the table" to describe someone seeking shelter or avoiding a situation due to fear or discomfort. For example, "When the loud noise started, the child ran to "hide under the table"".

What are some alternatives to "hide under the table"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "take cover beneath the table", "shelter under the table", or "seek safety under the table".

Is it grammatically correct to say "hide under the table"?

Yes, "hide under the table" is grammatically correct. The verb "hide" is correctly used with the preposition "under" and the noun phrase "the table".

What does it mean when someone says "hide under the table"?

The phrase "hide under the table" typically suggests that someone is seeking refuge from something frightening or unpleasant. It can also imply a desire to avoid responsibility or confrontation.