hole1 nounhole2 verb
holehole1 /həʊl $ hoʊl/ ●●● S1 W2 noun [countable] 
WORD ORIGINhole1
Origin:
Old English holEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a bullet hole
- A fox had dug a hole under our garden fence.
- A shaft of light came in through a hole in the corrugated iron roof.
- Construction workers have to dig a thousand foot hole before work can start on the tunnel.
- I can't wear my green shirt -- it has a hole in it.
- I have to get out of this hole.
- Make a hole in the bottom of each plant pot to let the water drain out.
- She stuck her finger through the hole.
- The aim is to get the ball in a hole in the ground.
- The old mineshaft had left a deep hole, dangerous to both people and livestock.
- The sheet was ancient and full of holes.
- There are holes in the ozone layer above Antarctica.
- They stared at the gaping hole in the wall.
- Troy looked through a hole in the fence at the garden next door.
- Water trickled in through the hole in the roof.
- We made a small hole in the earth, just deep enough to cover the roots of the plant.
THESAURUS
an empty space in the surface of something, which sometimes goes all the way through it: · A fox had dug a hole under our fence.· Rain was coming in through a hole in the roof.
an empty area between two things, into which you can put something: · Are there any empty spaces on the bookshelf?· a parking space
an empty area between two things or two parts of something, especially one that should not be there: · He has a gap between his two front teeth.· I squeezed through a gap in the hedge.
a hole that something can pass through or that you can see through, especially at the entrance of something: · The train disappeared into the dark opening of the tunnel.· I looked through the narrow opening in the wall.
a small hole where something has been damaged or broken that lets liquid or gas flow in or out: · a leak in the pipe· The plumber’s coming to repair the leak.
especially British English a small hole in a tyre through which air escapes: · My bike’s got a puncture.
a very narrow space between two things or two parts of something: · The snake slid into a crack in the rock.· She was peering through the crack in the curtains.
a straight narrow hole that you put a particular type of object into: · You have to put a coin in the slot before you dial the number.· A small disk fits into a slot in the camera.
a round hole in the ground made by an explosion or by a large object hitting it hard: · a volcanic crater· The meteor left a crater over five miles wide.· the craters on the Moon
to make a hole in something to cause a hole to appear in something: · Make a hole in the bottom of the can using a hammer and nail.
to make a small hole in or through something, using a pointed object: · The dog’s teeth had pierced her skin.· Shelley wanted to have her ears pierced (=for earrings).
to make a very small hole in the surface of something, using a pointed object: · Prick the potatoes before baking them.· My finger was bleeding where the needle had pricked it.
to make a hole through paper or flat material using a metal tool or other sharp object: · I bought one of those things for punching holes in paper.· You have to get your ticket punched before you get on the train.
to make a small hole in something, especially something where skin or a wall surrounds a softer or hollow inside part: · The bullet had punctured his lung.
formal to make a hole or holes in something: · Fragments of the bullet had perforated his intestines.
to make a hole using a special tool, often one which turns round and round very quickly: · The dentist started drilling a hole in my tooth.· They won a contract to drill for oil in the area.
to make a deep round hole through a rock, into the ground etc: · They had to bore through solid rock.· The men were boring a hole for the tunnel.
Longman Language Activatora hole that goes through something · The sheet was ancient and full of holes.· She stuck her finger through the hole.hole in · Troy looked through a hole in the fence at the garden next door.· A shaft of light came in through a hole in the corrugated iron roof.something has a hole in it · I can't wear my green shirt -- it has a hole in it.gaping hole (=a big hole) · They stared at the gaping hole in the wall.
an empty space in the middle of something such as a wall or fence, especially because part of it is missing or broken: gap in: · The gate was locked but we managed to get through a gap in the fence.gap under: · The light was coming through a tiny gap under the door.gap between: · Sharon has a gap between her two front teeth.
a hole that something can pass through or that you can see through, especially one which is at the entrance or top of something: · Bees come and go through a small opening at the bottom of the hive.· We zipped up the opening of the tent to stop the mosquitoes getting in.
a hole, especially one that allows light to pass through - use this especially in scientific and technical contexts: · The telescope has an aperture of 2.4 metres.
a hole in the ground or in the surface of something · The old mineshaft had left a deep hole, dangerous to both people and livestock.hole in · The aim is to get the ball in a hole in the ground.make a hole (in something) · We made a small hole in the earth, just deep enough to cover the roots of the plant.· Make a hole in the bottom of each plant pot to let the water drain out.dig a hole · A fox had dug a hole under our garden fence.· Construction workers have to dig a thousand foot hole before work can start on the tunnel.
a big hole in the surface of something, especially the ground, that is caused by an explosion or a large falling object: · The meteor left a crater over five miles wide.crater in: · When the bomb exploded it left a huge crater in the ground.
a hole in the surface of a road that makes driving difficult or dangerous: · He rode his bike over an enormous pothole.· It is going to cost the city at least $500,000 to patch potholes created by winter rains.
a large wide hole in the ground, especially one that is used for a particular purpose such as burying things: · They found a large pit where all the dead bodies had been thrown.· We dug a pit a yard deep in the soil.
an extremely deep empty space, seen from a very high point such as the edge of a mountain - used especially in literature: · Matthew found himself standing at the edge of a deep abyss.
a very deep space between two high areas of rock, especially one that is dangerous: · An unsteady-looking rope bridge was the only way to get across the chasm.· The landscape was a series of mountains, chasms, canyons and valleys.
a place on a surface that is lower than the rest a place where the surface of the ground goes down suddenly: dip in: · The boy fell off his bicycle when he went over a dip in the road too fast.
a place or area in a hard surface that is slightly lower than the rest of the surface, especially caused by something pressing hard on it: indentation in: · The X-rays showed a slight indentation in the man's skull.· She gently made an indentation in the centre of each cookie.
an area, especially of the ground, that is slightly lower than the area around it, caused by something heavy pressing on it: depression in: · You could see a depression in the ground where the helicopter had landed.· The depressions in the sand are made by turtles, that come up here to lay their eggs.
a place in the surface of something, especially metal, that is slightly lower because something has hit it accidentally: · The picture frame came with scratches, dents and marks that make it look old.dent in: · Emma backed into a tree, leaving a dent in the car's rear bumper.
a long narrow hole across the surface of something a long, narrow line across the surface of a hard substance such as glass or stone where it has been damaged: crack in: · This cup has a crack in it.· The crack in the bedroom wall seems to be widening.
British a long straight hole caused when a material such as plastic or cloth tears: · We suddenly noticed there was a split in the side of the tent.
a long, narrow hole, especially one that you can see through or put things through: · Tania's skirt has a long slit up the back.· I covered my eyes with my hands, watching through the slits between my fingers.
a straight narrow hole, for example on a container, made so that a particular type or size of object can fit through it: · I dropped a quarter in the slot and dialed the number.· The message was placed in every employee's mail slot.
a hole in something that has been damaged, allowing water, air etc to escape: hole in · Water trickled in through the hole in the roof.· There are holes in the ozone layer above Antarctica.
a hole where something has been damaged or broken that allows a gas or liquid to pass through when it should not: · The water pressure's right down - there must be a leak in the pipe.spring a leak (=suddenly get a leak): · The boat had sprung a leak and it was sinking fast.
British a small hole in a tyre through which air escapes: · I could hear the hissing sound of air escaping from the puncture.slow puncture (=a puncture from which air escapes slowly): · The tyre's gone flat again -- I think we've got a slow puncture.
words for describing something that has lots of holes in it · Parker's socks were so full of holes that his toes peeked through.· The roof was full of holes, all of which sprouted grass and moss.
full of a great many small holes, especially in a surface: · The old table was riddled with holes.· The ship returned from the war-zone riddled with bullet holes.
having a lot of small holes arranged in a regular pattern that has been made by a machine for a particular purpose: · They put the insect into a tin with a perforated lid.· Tear along the perforated line and return the bottom part of the form.
a substance such as rock or soil or a surface that is porous allows liquid or gas to pass through it: · If a garage has a porous floor, it can become extremely damp.· Plants in containers made of porous material, must be watered more often than those in plastic pots.
a leaky roof, pipe etc is damaged so that it has a hole or holes in it that water comes through: · The house had a leaky roof.· There was a pool of water in the corner where water was dripping from a leaky pipe.
to make a hole in the ground or surface of something to make a space by removing the inside part of something: hollow out something/hollow something out: · Carefully hollow out the pineapple and then fill it with the ice-cream.
British to make a hole in the ground using a tool that is made for digging: · To plant the tree you need to dig out a hole about 20 cm wide and 30 cm deep.· The workmen were already digging out the foundations for the building.
to make a deep cut in a surface, using something sharp, especially in order to remove something: · The blade gouged a deep wound in her leg.gouge out something/gouge something out (=remove something by violently cutting a hole): · In the play he tries to gouge out his own eyes.
to make a very small hole in something, especially accidentally, using something pointed such as a pin: · A small bead of blood formed where she had pricked her finger.· Prick the potatoes before baking them.
to make a narrow hole in something using a tool that turns round and round very quickly: · I heard the dentist start drilling, but I couldn't feel anything.drill for oil/water/gas etc: · Oil companies still drill for oil off Santa Barbara.drill into: · It sounds like someone's drilling into the wall.
to make a hole in a hard surface such as rock or the ground using a lot of pressure, especially in order to find or remove minerals, coal etc: · The mining company bored a 5000 foot hole.· The machine they used to bore the tunnel is the size of a two storey house.bore into/through: · They had to bore through solid rock.
to accidentally hit the surface of something, especially something metal, so that part of the surface is bent or slightly lower than the rest: · He accidentally dented the garage door, trying to reverse in.
to make a hole through something · Make a hole in the bottom of the plant pot to allow the water to drain out.· Make a hole in the surface of the pie before you put it in the oven.
to make a small hole through something using something long and sharp: · She pierced the lid of the can and poured the milk into a saucepan.· The arrow pierced his heart.have your ears/nose/navel etc pierced (=have holes made in them so that you can wear jewellery): · Shelley had her ears pierced when she was a teenager.
to damage something by making a hole through which air escapes: · The doctor was worried that the broken rib might puncture the woman's lung.
to make a hole through paper or material with a quick strong movement using a special tool: · The conductor walked through the train, punching everyone's ticket.punch a hole in something: · I punched holes in the papers and filed them away in a binder.· The shoemaker was threading stitches through tiny holes he had punched in the leather.
to make a small hole in something using a tool that turns around and around very quickly: drill a hole in: · I drilled two holes in the shelf and attached it to the wall.· We drilled several small holes in the lid of the jar.
damage to the environment harmful chemicals, gases, or waste materials from factories, houses etc that enter the air, water, or land and kill or damage the things that live or grow there: · Pollution levels in the area shot up as soon as the factory started operating.· What pollution controls will the state authorities put in place?air/marine/land etc pollution: · She says that transporting goods by rail instead of road would cut air pollution dramatically.
a general increase in the temperature of the world caused by harmful chemicals and gases from cars, factories etc entering the air: · Scientists estimate that global warming could cause a six degree rise in temperatures by 2100.· One of the most devastating consequences of global warming could be the melting of the polar ice caps.
gases from cars, factories, machines etc that form a layer around the earth and keep the heat in. These are a cause of global warming: · International controls are needed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.· Western countries are overwhelmingly responsible for current levels of greenhouse gases.
rain that is harmful to trees and buildings because it contains pollution from factories, power stations etc: · Typical symptoms of acid rain include deformed and dying trees, and trees with vastly reduced numbers of leaves.
changes in the weather across large areas of the world caused by damage to the natural environment, for example increases in temperature, more storms, or more or less rain: · People will have to get used to more flooding and droughts as climate change becomes a reality.· an international conference on Climate Change
a hole in the layer of natural gases around the earth that protects people, animals etc from damage from the sun. This is thought to be caused by harmful gases from cars, household products, factories etc entering the earth's atmosphere: · The increase in the incidence of skin cancer is directly due to the hole in the ozone layer.
when too many trees are cut down in an area, so that the environment is badly damaged: · Some parts of tropical America have seen over 70% deforestation.· The land is severely eroded as a result of widespread deforestation and intensive farming.
a type of animal, plant etc that might soon stop existing because of damage to the environment it lives in or because too many of them have been killed by humans: · Environmentalists say that the area includes the habitats of at least 20 endangered species.· Although the tiger is an endangered species, it is still hunted in some areas.
WORD SETSbirdie, nounbirdie, verbbogey, nounbogie, nounbogie, verbbunker, nouncaddy, nouncaddy, verbcup, noundriver, nounfairway, noungolf ball, noungolf club, noungolf course, noungolf links, noungreen, nounhole, nounhole, verbiron, nounloft, verbmishit, verbpar, nounpitch, verbpitch-and-putt, nounpull, nounputt, verbputter, nounputting green, nounround, nounrubber, nounsandtrap, nounsink, verbswing, nountee, nountrap, nounwood, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
I began digging a hole for the plant. These socks are full of holes. The theory is full of holes.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The first shot missed and blasted a hole in the far wall. They dig a small hole in the sand to bury their eggs. I spent most of the summer filling the gaps in my education. The company has moved quickly to fill the niche in the overnight travel market. Make a hole in the paper. The cup has made a mark on the table. Pierce small holes in the base of the pot with a hot needle. These bullets can punch a hole through 20 mm steel plate. You’ve worn a hole in your sock. the yawning gap between the two cliffs
I began digging a hole for the plant. These socks are full of holes. The theory is full of holes. The first shot missed and blasted a hole in the far wall.· There were two bullet holes in the windscreen.
They dig a small hole in the sand to bury their eggs. I spent most of the summer filling the gaps in my education. The company has moved quickly to fill the niche in the overnight travel market.· Facilities include an 18-hole golf course.
Make a hole in the paper. The cup has made a mark on the table. Pierce small holes in the base of the pot with a hot needle. These bullets can punch a hole through 20 mm steel plate.· She caught her shawl on a nail and tore a hole in it.
You’ve worn a hole in your sock. the yawning gap between the two cliffsPHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be in a hole► need/want something like a hole in the headPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► ace in the hole► dig somebody out of trouble/a mess/a hole etc► knock a hole in/through something► need something like a hole in the head► the nineteenth hole► pick a hole in something► poke a hole► poke holes in something► punch holes in somebody’s argument/idea/plans etc► a square peg in a round hole
1space in something solid an empty space in something solidhole in- The cost of the house repairs made a big hole in my savings.
- We're already $140 in the hole.
- Even that record has now gone, Sluman holing in one.
- Don't wait until the money's burning a hole in your pocket, plan ahead.
- The mayor dug himself into a hole when he promised 3000 new jobs.
- I had no trouble picking holes in her theory.
- The old table was riddled with holes.
- The ship returned from the war-zone riddled with bullet holes.
There was a huge hole in the road. I began digging a hole for the plant. ► Don’t say there is a hole ‘on’ something. Say there is a hole in something.2space something can go through a space in something solid that allows light or things to pass throughhole in They climbed through a hole in the fence. These socks are full of holes. bullet holes (=made by bullets)3empty place a place where someone or something should be, but is missinghole in Their departure will leave a gaping hole in Grand Prix racing.4weak part a weak part or fault in something such as an idea or plan: The theory is full of holes.hole in If you have holes in your game, work on them.5animal’s home the home of a small animal: a rabbit hole6unpleasant place informal an unpleasant place: I’ve got to get out of this hole.7golf a)a hole in the ground that you try to get the ball into in the game of golf b)one part of a golf course with this kind of hole at one end8hole in one when someone hits the ball in golf from the starting place into the hole with only one hit9make a hole in something informal to use a large part of an amount of money, food etc: Holidays can make a big hole in your savings.10be in a hole informal to be in a difficult situation11be in the hole American English spoken to owe money: I was something like $16,000 in the hole already.12need/want something like a hole in the head spoken used to say that you definitely do not need or want something: I need this conversation like a hole in the head. → ace in the hole at ace1(7), → black hole, → square peg in a round hole at square1(12), → watering holeTHESAURUShole an empty space in the surface of something, which sometimes goes all the way through it: · A fox had dug a hole under our fence.· Rain was coming in through a hole in the roof.space an empty area between two things, into which you can put something: · Are there any empty spaces on the bookshelf?· a parking spacegap an empty area between two things or two parts of something, especially one that should not be there: · He has a gap between his two front teeth.· I squeezed through a gap in the hedge.opening a hole that something can pass through or that you can see through, especially at the entrance of something: · The train disappeared into the dark opening of the tunnel.· I looked through the narrow opening in the wall.leak a small hole where something has been damaged or broken that lets liquid or gas flow in or out: · a leak in the pipe· The plumber’s coming to repair the leak.puncture especially British English a small hole in a tyre through which air escapes: · My bike’s got a puncture.crack a very narrow space between two things or two parts of something: · The snake slid into a crack in the rock.· She was peering through the crack in the curtains.slot a straight narrow hole that you put a particular type of object into: · You have to put a coin in the slot before you dial the number.· A small disk fits into a slot in the camera.crater a round hole in the ground made by an explosion or by a large object hitting it hard: · a volcanic crater· The meteor left a crater over five miles wide.· the craters on the Moonto make a hole in somethingmake a hole in something to cause a hole to appear in something: · Make a hole in the bottom of the can using a hammer and nail.pierce to make a small hole in or through something, using a pointed object: · The dog’s teeth had pierced her skin.· Shelley wanted to have her ears pierced (=for earrings).prick to make a very small hole in the surface of something, using a pointed object: · Prick the potatoes before baking them.· My finger was bleeding where the needle had pricked it.punch to make a hole through paper or flat material using a metal tool or other sharp object: · I bought one of those things for punching holes in paper.· You have to get your ticket punched before you get on the train.puncture to make a small hole in something, especially something where skin or a wall surrounds a softer or hollow inside part: · The bullet had punctured his lung.perforate formal to make a hole or holes in something: · Fragments of the bullet had perforated his intestines.drill to make a hole using a special tool, often one which turns round and round very quickly: · The dentist started drilling a hole in my tooth.· They won a contract to drill for oil in the area.bore to make a deep round hole through a rock, into the ground etc: · They had to bore through solid rock.· The men were boring a hole for the tunnel.hole1 nounhole2 verb
holehole2 verb VERB TABLE
hole
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | hole |
| he, she, it | holes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | holed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have holed |
| he, she, it | has holed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had holed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will hole |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have holed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am holing |
| he, she, it | is holing | |
| you, we, they | are holing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was holing |
| you, we, they | were holing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been holing |
| he, she, it | has been holing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been holing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be holing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been holing |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- After holing up for the winter of 2512 the horde descended into the eastern provinces of the Empire.
- Even that record has now gone, Sluman holing in one.
- That was until Norman Tebbit spotted what he believed was the biggest chance of holing the impenetrable protective layer around the bill.
- Then he made his third three at the seventh, playing a nine-iron to four feet and holing the putt.
Longman Language Activatora hole that goes through something
· The sheet was ancient and full of holes.· She stuck her finger through the hole.hole in · Troy looked through a hole in the fence at the garden next door.· A shaft of light came in through a hole in the corrugated iron roof.something has a hole in it · I can't wear my green shirt -- it has a hole in it.gaping hole (=a big hole) · They stared at the gaping hole in the wall.
an empty space in the middle of something such as a wall or fence, especially because part of it is missing or broken: gap in: · The gate was locked but we managed to get through a gap in the fence.gap under: · The light was coming through a tiny gap under the door.gap between: · Sharon has a gap between her two front teeth.
a hole that something can pass through or that you can see through, especially one which is at the entrance or top of something: · Bees come and go through a small opening at the bottom of the hive.· We zipped up the opening of the tent to stop the mosquitoes getting in.
a hole, especially one that allows light to pass through - use this especially in scientific and technical contexts: · The telescope has an aperture of 2.4 metres.
a hole in the ground or in the surface of something · The old mineshaft had left a deep hole, dangerous to both people and livestock.hole in · The aim is to get the ball in a hole in the ground.make a hole (in something) · We made a small hole in the earth, just deep enough to cover the roots of the plant.· Make a hole in the bottom of each plant pot to let the water drain out.dig a hole · A fox had dug a hole under our garden fence.· Construction workers have to dig a thousand foot hole before work can start on the tunnel.
a big hole in the surface of something, especially the ground, that is caused by an explosion or a large falling object: · The meteor left a crater over five miles wide.crater in: · When the bomb exploded it left a huge crater in the ground.
a hole in the surface of a road that makes driving difficult or dangerous: · He rode his bike over an enormous pothole.· It is going to cost the city at least $500,000 to patch potholes created by winter rains.
a large wide hole in the ground, especially one that is used for a particular purpose such as burying things: · They found a large pit where all the dead bodies had been thrown.· We dug a pit a yard deep in the soil.
an extremely deep empty space, seen from a very high point such as the edge of a mountain - used especially in literature: · Matthew found himself standing at the edge of a deep abyss.
a very deep space between two high areas of rock, especially one that is dangerous: · An unsteady-looking rope bridge was the only way to get across the chasm.· The landscape was a series of mountains, chasms, canyons and valleys.
a place on a surface that is lower than the rest a place where the surface of the ground goes down suddenly: dip in: · The boy fell off his bicycle when he went over a dip in the road too fast.
a place or area in a hard surface that is slightly lower than the rest of the surface, especially caused by something pressing hard on it: indentation in: · The X-rays showed a slight indentation in the man's skull.· She gently made an indentation in the centre of each cookie.
an area, especially of the ground, that is slightly lower than the area around it, caused by something heavy pressing on it: depression in: · You could see a depression in the ground where the helicopter had landed.· The depressions in the sand are made by turtles, that come up here to lay their eggs.
a place in the surface of something, especially metal, that is slightly lower because something has hit it accidentally: · The picture frame came with scratches, dents and marks that make it look old.dent in: · Emma backed into a tree, leaving a dent in the car's rear bumper.
a long narrow hole across the surface of something a long, narrow line across the surface of a hard substance such as glass or stone where it has been damaged: crack in: · This cup has a crack in it.· The crack in the bedroom wall seems to be widening.
British a long straight hole caused when a material such as plastic or cloth tears: · We suddenly noticed there was a split in the side of the tent.
a long, narrow hole, especially one that you can see through or put things through: · Tania's skirt has a long slit up the back.· I covered my eyes with my hands, watching through the slits between my fingers.
a straight narrow hole, for example on a container, made so that a particular type or size of object can fit through it: · I dropped a quarter in the slot and dialed the number.· The message was placed in every employee's mail slot.
a hole in something that has been damaged, allowing water, air etc to escape: hole in · Water trickled in through the hole in the roof.· There are holes in the ozone layer above Antarctica.
a hole where something has been damaged or broken that allows a gas or liquid to pass through when it should not: · The water pressure's right down - there must be a leak in the pipe.spring a leak (=suddenly get a leak): · The boat had sprung a leak and it was sinking fast.
British a small hole in a tyre through which air escapes: · I could hear the hissing sound of air escaping from the puncture.slow puncture (=a puncture from which air escapes slowly): · The tyre's gone flat again -- I think we've got a slow puncture.
words for describing something that has lots of holes in it · Parker's socks were so full of holes that his toes peeked through.· The roof was full of holes, all of which sprouted grass and moss.
full of a great many small holes, especially in a surface: · The old table was riddled with holes.· The ship returned from the war-zone riddled with bullet holes.
having a lot of small holes arranged in a regular pattern that has been made by a machine for a particular purpose: · They put the insect into a tin with a perforated lid.· Tear along the perforated line and return the bottom part of the form.
a substance such as rock or soil or a surface that is porous allows liquid or gas to pass through it: · If a garage has a porous floor, it can become extremely damp.· Plants in containers made of porous material, must be watered more often than those in plastic pots.
a leaky roof, pipe etc is damaged so that it has a hole or holes in it that water comes through: · The house had a leaky roof.· There was a pool of water in the corner where water was dripping from a leaky pipe.
to make a hole in the ground or surface of something to make a space by removing the inside part of something: hollow out something/hollow something out: · Carefully hollow out the pineapple and then fill it with the ice-cream.
British to make a hole in the ground using a tool that is made for digging: · To plant the tree you need to dig out a hole about 20 cm wide and 30 cm deep.· The workmen were already digging out the foundations for the building.
to make a deep cut in a surface, using something sharp, especially in order to remove something: · The blade gouged a deep wound in her leg.gouge out something/gouge something out (=remove something by violently cutting a hole): · In the play he tries to gouge out his own eyes.
to make a very small hole in something, especially accidentally, using something pointed such as a pin: · A small bead of blood formed where she had pricked her finger.· Prick the potatoes before baking them.
to make a narrow hole in something using a tool that turns round and round very quickly: · I heard the dentist start drilling, but I couldn't feel anything.drill for oil/water/gas etc: · Oil companies still drill for oil off Santa Barbara.drill into: · It sounds like someone's drilling into the wall.
to make a hole in a hard surface such as rock or the ground using a lot of pressure, especially in order to find or remove minerals, coal etc: · The mining company bored a 5000 foot hole.· The machine they used to bore the tunnel is the size of a two storey house.bore into/through: · They had to bore through solid rock.
to accidentally hit the surface of something, especially something metal, so that part of the surface is bent or slightly lower than the rest: · He accidentally dented the garage door, trying to reverse in.
to make a hole through something · Make a hole in the bottom of the plant pot to allow the water to drain out.· Make a hole in the surface of the pie before you put it in the oven.
to make a small hole through something using something long and sharp: · She pierced the lid of the can and poured the milk into a saucepan.· The arrow pierced his heart.have your ears/nose/navel etc pierced (=have holes made in them so that you can wear jewellery): · Shelley had her ears pierced when she was a teenager.
to damage something by making a hole through which air escapes: · The doctor was worried that the broken rib might puncture the woman's lung.
to make a hole through paper or material with a quick strong movement using a special tool: · The conductor walked through the train, punching everyone's ticket.punch a hole in something: · I punched holes in the papers and filed them away in a binder.· The shoemaker was threading stitches through tiny holes he had punched in the leather.
to make a small hole in something using a tool that turns around and around very quickly: drill a hole in: · I drilled two holes in the shelf and attached it to the wall.· We drilled several small holes in the lid of the jar.
to hide yourself to go somewhere where you cannot be easily found or seen: · Dad's coming. Quick - hide!hide under/behind/in etc: · Dale hid behind some garbage cans in the alley until the men passed.· The cat always hides under the bed when we have visitors.hide from: · Why is he hiding from us? Is he afraid?
to go to a safe place where you can hide for a long time because you are in danger or because the police are looking for you: · He went into hiding soon after the government denounced him.· Police believe the robbers have gone into hiding.
to hide from people who are trying to catch you, and to make sure you do not attract any attention until it is safe to come out: · If you don't want to go back to jail, you'd better lie low for a while.· Weaver had been lying low at his sister's apartment for the past week.
to hide somewhere and not go out at all, especially because the police are looking for you: · We were all planning to hole up till the trouble blew over.hole up in/on etc something: · The gang holed up in a cheap hotel for a few weeks.be holed up in/on etc something: · The FBI believes that Richards is holed up on an estate in Colombia.
to hide in a ship in order to travel to a place without being noticed and without paying: · With no money, his only hope of getting to New York was to stow away on the next ship.· Customs officials discovered several illegal immigrants stowed away at the front of the ship.
formal to hide yourself carefully so that you cannot be seen: · When police arrived, Black made no effort to hide or conceal herself.conceal yourself in/beneath/behind etc: · It was easy for the man to conceal himself in the museum before closing time.conceal yourself from: · Many spiders spin special webs to conceal themselves from danger.
to hide in a place in order to attack or stop someone you know will come there: · The tank commander feared there might be enemy soldiers lying in wait in the hills up ahead.lie in wait for: · Aitkins lay in wait for his victims and shot them as they walked toward their front door.
to wait or move around in a particular area while trying not to be seen, especially because you are going to do something wrong or something you do not want other people to know about: · Who's that skulking over there?lurk/skulk around/about: · Police received reports of a man lurking around the neighborhood.lurk/skulk in/behind/under etc: · I'm sure I saw someone lurking in the bushes just now.· He skulked along the street, looking this way and that to see if anyone was following him.
WORD SETSbirdie, nounbirdie, verbbogey, nounbogie, nounbogie, verbbunker, nouncaddy, nouncaddy, verbcup, noundriver, nounfairway, noungolf ball, noungolf club, noungolf course, noungolf links, noungreen, nounhole, nounhole, verbiron, nounloft, verbmishit, verbpar, nounpitch, verbpitch-and-putt, nounpull, nounputt, verbputter, nounputting green, nounround, nounrubber, nounsandtrap, nounsink, verbswing, nountee, nountrap, nounwood, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY He holed the putt with ease.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The first shot missed and blasted a hole in the far wall. They dig a small hole in the sand to bury their eggs. I spent most of the summer filling the gaps in my education. The company has moved quickly to fill the niche in the overnight travel market. Make a hole in the paper. The cup has made a mark on the table. Pierce small holes in the base of the pot with a hot needle. These bullets can punch a hole through 20 mm steel plate. You’ve worn a hole in your sock. the yawning gap between the two cliffsCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
He holed the putt with ease. The first shot missed and blasted a hole in the far wall.· There were two bullet holes in the windscreen.
They dig a small hole in the sand to bury their eggs. I spent most of the summer filling the gaps in my education. The company has moved quickly to fill the niche in the overnight travel market.· Facilities include an 18-hole golf course.
Make a hole in the paper. The cup has made a mark on the table. Pierce small holes in the base of the pot with a hot needle. These bullets can punch a hole through 20 mm steel plate.· She caught her shawl on a nail and tore a hole in it.
You’ve worn a hole in your sock. the yawning gap between the two cliffs· Then he made his third three at the seventh, playing a nine-iron to four feet and holing the putt.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► ace in the hole► dig somebody out of trouble/a mess/a hole etc► knock a hole in/through something► need something like a hole in the head► the nineteenth hole► pick a hole in something► poke a hole► poke holes in something► punch holes in somebody’s argument/idea/plans etc► a square peg in a round hole
1[intransitive, transitive] to hit the ball into a hole in golf: - In spite of this, no planes were lost to antiaircraft fire, although nearly half of them were holed.
- One boat was holed three times and despite baling had taken in a foot of water when beached.
- Passengers were evacuated after the QE2 was holed.
- The hull was holed in several places and the vessel was awash.
- The roof itself was holed in places, and melting snow dripped to the floor and spread in muddy puddles.
- Under the protection of the militia, the Metropolitans raided the basement shebeen where Dunne was holed up.
- Viewers are invited to fax in with their guesses about where Gaiman is holed up.
- Don't wait until the money's burning a hole in your pocket, plan ahead.
- The mayor dug himself into a hole when he promised 3000 new jobs.
- I had no trouble picking holes in her theory.
- The old table was riddled with holes.
- The ship returned from the war-zone riddled with bullet holes.
He holed the putt with ease.2be holed if a ship is holed, something makes a hole in ithole out phrasal verb to hit the ball into a hole in golfhole up (also be holed up) phrasal verb informal to hide somewhere for a period of timehole up in/with/at The gunmen are still holed up in the town.