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to earth

to earth

9.9
To go into the ground to hide, like a rabbit
  • verb
  • /ɜrθ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : meterse en la madriguera
  • The fox managed to earth before the hounds could catch it.

Examples

  • The rabbit quickly earthed itself when it sensed danger.

  • When threatened, badgers will earth quickly to avoid danger.

  • Several rabbits tried to earth themselves in the soft soil as the predator approached.

  • When threatened, foxes will earth to avoid predators.

  • The rabbit quickly earthened itself into the ground to escape the hungry fox.

  • When the dog got scared during the storm, it earthened itself beneath the porch.

  • The animal earthened in its den, waiting safely until the danger had passed.

Synonyms

to hole up
vsto earth
1 7.3

An animal taking shelter in a safe place to sleep through winter

hides by burrowing underground to escape immediate danger

Antonyms

3.4

On the outside or top layer of something

Idioms

on earth
  • Informal
117 2.8

You say it after a question word to show surprise

on Earth
  • Informal
32 2.3

To show strong surprise or doubt in a question

hell on earth
  • Informal
9 6.8

A place or situation that causes great suffering and pain

9 6.1

A kind, honest, reliable person who helps others in their community

scum of the earth
  • Offensive
9 8.7

A cruel, dishonest person that many people hate

7 4.2

Do everything you can to achieve something important

4 4.5

A way of saying someone will go very far to help or find something

earth to
  • Informal
1 9.2

To get someone's attention when they are distracted

To try very hard and do anything to achieve something

Disappear completely so no one knows what happened and no sign is left

To be very expensive

Someone or something disappears completely so nobody knows where they are

Phrasal Verbs

to orbit the Earth
  • Specialized
8 4.3

Move in a curved path around Earth like a satellite or spacecraft

Start to think and act in a realistic way after being excited

to go to earth
  • Archaic
1 9.3

To hide from people to avoid trouble or attention

8.2

To cover something with dirt or rocks so it is blocked

Find and catch someone or something after a long difficult search

Compounds

The surface of the world or being anywhere in the world

42 4.1

A person who is practical and sensible in a friendly, not showy way

rare earth
  • Specialized
11 6.6

A group of metals used in electronics and industry

Very important and surprising in a way that changes what happens

The whole natural world or the planet

earth science
  • Specialized
3 3.4

The study of the Earth's land, rocks, water, and air

A very distant place that seems at the limit of the world

A very beautiful place where people feel happy and peaceful

2 8.0

A plan to destroy useful things on purpose so an enemy cannot use them

rare-earth element
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A metal like neodymium used in electronics and strong magnets

1 3.7

A small earthquake that causes little or no damage

diatomaceous earth
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A soft, light powder made from fossil bits of tiny water plants used to kill insects and filter liquids

1 3.9

A natural color made from soil, usually brown, yellow or red, used in art

earth goddess
  • Literature
1 7.6

A female spirit who is linked to the earth and helps plants grow

earth mother
  • Literature
1 8.5

A female spirit who represents the Earth and gives life and fertility

1 4.5

A caring person who loves nature, grows plants, and helps others with gardening

bleaching earth
  • Specialized
8.0

A fine clay that removes color and unwanted parts from oils

9.5

A small edible root like a tiny nut that people eat or use in food

earth god
  • Literature
8.6

A god who cares for the earth and helps plants grow

earth-goddess
  • Literature
9.5

A female being who people believe looks after the earth, plants, and crops

earth-god
  • Literature
9.9

A god connected to the land and plants who helps crops grow

earth wax
  • Specialized
9.9

A natural firm material found near oil that is used to make candles

9.9

A valuable underground mushroom that chefs use to give food a strong, earthy taste

earth-closet
  • Archaic
9.9

A small outdoor toilet that uses earth to cover waste instead of flushing it

9.9

A plant from Europe with small edible tubers that people eat and use to add flavor

Earth-received time
  • Specialized
9.5

The time on Earth when a signal from space arrives, usually given in UTC

earth-tongue
  • Specialized
9.9

A small club-shaped fungus that grows in soil or grass

alkaline earth
  • Specialized
7.2

A metal in the second column of the periodic table, like magnesium or calcium

alkaline-earth metal
  • Specialized
7.2

A metal like calcium or magnesium that makes substances that are not acidic

fuller's earth
  • Specialized
7.9

A fine clay that soaks up oil and grease to clean surfaces or cloth

A plant with large starchy roots like a sweet potato

gall of the earth
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that lives for several years with drooping clusters of pink flowers and broad leaves like a lion's paw

Soft clay with no iron used to make pots and models

How Deep

to earth
  • Archaic
9.9
to go to earth
  • Archaic
1 9.3
to hide
1.0
to take cover
69 3.4

Surface Forms

earth infinitive
earthed past
earthed past participle
earthing present participle
earths third person singular

Etymology

The verb earth used for animals comes from the noun 'earth' and means to go into the ground to hide, like putting themselves into the 'soil'.