the hole
the hole — idiom
1. a punishment cell in a prison where an inmate is kept completely alone, locked a
a punishment cell in a prison where an inmate is kept completely alone, locked away from other prisoners for breaking the rules
Amara was thrown in the hole for three days without any visitors.
passive: be thrown in the hole
The hole was so cold that Bjorn could see his own breath.
Late at night, Diego heard strange noises coming from the hole.
The guards used the hole as a threat to keep everyone quiet.
In that prison, the hole had a bad smell and rats on the floor.
- solitary confinement
the formal, official term; used in legal and administrative contexts
- isolation
a broader term for keeping someone apart from others, not only in prison
- the SHU
Security Housing Unit — US federal prison term for a dedicated solitary wing
用法筆記
Prison slang, mainly used in spoken English and in fiction or film about prison life. Not used in formal legal or administrative language.
2. the gap in a baseball infield that separates the shortstop's position from the t
the gap in a baseball infield that separates the shortstop's position from the third baseman's — a ground ball hit there is hard for either player to field
Dmitri hit a sharp ground ball right through the hole for a single.
The shortstop moved to his left but the ball went through the hole.
Yuki got a hit through the hole past third and gave the coach a wave.
With two runners on, Priyanka lined a fast one straight into the hole.
The third baseman dived but could not stop the ball from reaching the hole.
用法筆記
A baseball-specific term understood mainly by fans and players. In everyday conversation outside a baseball context, 'the hole' does not carry this meaning.