hole-in-the-wall

IPA/ˌhəʊl ɪn ðə ˈwɔːl/
IPA/ˌhəʊl ɪn ðə ˈwɔːl/

hole-in-the-wall — noun

1. a machine that is built into the outside wall of a bank or other building and gi

1.nounB1
Definition

a machine that is built into the outside wall of a bank or other building and gives out money when you insert a bank card — the informal British word for an ATM

Example

Oliver stopped at a hole-in-the-wall on his way to work to get cash for lunch.

British informal term for ATM; collocation: stopped at the hole-in-the-wall

There is a hole-in-the-wall just outside the railway station that works 24 hours a day.

Common collocations
  • use a hole-in-the-wall
  • find a hole-in-the-wall
  • get money from a hole-in-the-wall
Synonyms
  • ATM

    the standard abbreviation used worldwide; more formal

  • cash machine

    neutral term common in both British and American English

  • cashpoint

    British English, slightly dated but still in use

Grammar Patterns

a/the hole-in-the-wall

Usage Note

Used primarily in British English. In American English, the standard terms are 'ATM' or 'cash machine'. This sense is less common among younger British speakers, who often use 'cashpoint' or simply 'the machine'.

Common Mistakes

I withdrew cash from the hole-in-the-wall in Taipei.
I withdrew cash from the ATM / 提款機 in Taipei.
'hole-in-the-wall' is restricted to British English and would sound unnatural in non-UK settings.

2. a very small shop, restaurant, or home that feels cramped or looks plain and is

2.nounB2
Definition

a very small shop, restaurant, or home that feels cramped or looks plain and is often in an out-of-the-way location, sometimes giving it a hidden or secret appeal

Example

Sofia and her brother ate at a hole-in-the-wall near the market that served amazing noodles.

collocation: ate at a hole-in-the-wall

Vikram found a hole-in-the-wall bookstore where the old books were very cheap.

pattern: hole-in-the-wall + noun (bookstore)

Common collocations
  • hole-in-the-wall restaurant
  • hole-in-the-wall shop
  • hole-in-the-wall café
  • tiny hole-in-the-wall
Synonyms
  • dive

    more negative; specifically a rough or dirty bar or restaurant

  • joint

    informal and more neutral; can refer to any place of business

  • shack

    even more basic and rundown; often refers to a building rather than a business

Antonyms
  • palace

    opposite extreme — luxurious, spacious, and impressive

Grammar Patterns

a hole-in-the-wall

hole-in-the-wall + noun (bookstore / restaurant / café)

Usage Note

Often implies a place that is smaller or less polished than similar establishments. Can convey affection for a place with character (a charming hidden gem) or a negative judgment (cramped or shabby). The tone depends on context.

Common Mistakes

We held our wedding reception at a hole-in-the-wall banquet hall.
We held our wedding reception at a small, intimate hall.
'hole-in-the-wall' suggests a place that is cramped and unpretentious, not suitable for a formal gathering.
They own a hole-in-the-wall supermarket with five aisles.
They own a small convenience store.
a hole-in-the-wall is extremely tiny, much smaller than even a small supermarket.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe informal, modest places, but they differ in tone and usage. 'Hole-in-the-wall' is the most neutral-to-affectionate term, often suggesting a hidden gem — a tiny restaurant or shop with character. 'Dive' carries a stronger negative meaning, usually for a bar or restaurant that is dirty, shabby, or rough. 'Joint' is very broad and neutral; you can call any bar, club, or restaurant a joint without implying small size or poor quality. 'Shack' focuses on the building itself being poorly built or rundown — it is less about the business and more about the physical structure. For example: 'The best dumplings I ever ate came from a tiny hole-in-the-wall near the station' (charming, hidden). 'That dive on the corner sells cheap beer but the floor is sticky' (negative, rough). 'Let's grab a bite at that new burger joint' (neutral, casual). 'He lives in a shack behind the gas station' (rundown building).

dive ↗joint ↗shack ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • at a hole-in-the-wall
  • from a hole-in-the-wall
  • in a hole-in-the-wall

Etymology

English (British colloquial compound)

The expression 'hole-in-the-wall' dates back to the 19th century, originally describing a small, cramped shop or room that felt no bigger than a literal hole in a wall. The image is of a tiny, hidden space carved into the side of a building — easy to miss but big enough to operate a small business. In the late 20th century, British English extended the term to cash machines because early ATMs were literally built into the outside wall of banks, appearing as a metal panel with a slot — a mechanical 'hole in the wall' that dispensed money.