Home UK English take to the bush

Meaning of take to the bush in English:

take to the bush

phrase

Australian, New Zealand

  • (originally of a convict) run away; go to live in the wild.

    ‘the start of the war saw him take to the bush’
    • ‘He takes to the bush after attracting the hostility of polite society.’
    • ‘I used to spend a lot of time trying to keep up with the boys, who would often take to the bush.’
    • ‘He met the couple who took to the bush in an ageing van.’
    • ‘Knowing himself outcast, he took to the bush.’
    • ‘I got among bad companions and took to the bush.’
    • ‘She took to the bush with the other Tasmanians.’
    • ‘He was a keen bow-hunter and fisherman who would take to the bush for weeks on end.’
    • ‘Many youths have taken to the bush to avoid forced recruitment.’
    • ‘The women had been warned that rebels were coming to seize them and took to the bush.’
    • ‘He escaped from them and took to the bush.’