Word study: Hold
The word HOLD can be used in different contexts and assume various meanings. See some of those contexts in the list below.
To have and keep in one’s grasp: The dictator held the reins tightly.
To aim or direct, to point: The firefighter held a hose on the source of the fire.
To keep from falling or moving; support: Charles used a nail but it was too small to hold the large mirror.
To sustain the pressure of: The old bridge can’t hold much weight.
To keep from departing or getting away: Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
To keep in custody: The police held the suspect 24 hours for questioning.
To retain (one’s attention or interest): Televised sports can’t hold my interest.
To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
To be filled by; to contain
To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.
To have in store: Let’s see what the future holds for her young daughters.
To have and maintain in one’s possession: Her family holds a great deal of property.
Too have as a responsibility or privilege: Jim held the governorship for six years.
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: My brother holds the record for the one-mile race.
To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
To maintain occupation by force: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
To maintain a given condition: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
To impose control or restraint: She held her temper.
To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us.
To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
Idiomatic English
Idioms with the word HOLD
Idiom | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
get (a) hold of | to come into possession of. | Where can I get hold of a copy of this book? |
hold a candle to | to compare favourably with | The new version doesn’t hold a candle to its original. |
hold up one’s end | to fulfil one’s part of an agreement; do one’s share. | Are you going to hold up your end of the bargain? |
hold one’s own | maintain one’s position and be in control of a situation; be sufficiently competent in a certain situation | He can hold his own in a fight. |
hold out on (someone) | to withhold something from (someone) | Don’t hold out on me; start telling the truth! |
hold (someone’s) feet to the fire | to pressure (someone) to consent to or undertake something. | I think reporters really should hold the president’s feet to the fire about this issue. |
hold the line | to maintain the existing position | The bank had to hold the line on salary increases. |
hold sway | to have a controlling influence; dominate | Ten years after she correctly predicted the crash, she still holds sway among stock brokers. |
hold water | to stand up to critical examination. | Your explanation doesn’t hold water. |
on hold | keep a state of temporary interruption without severing a telephone connection. | The credit card representative put me on hold for 10 minutes. |
Phrasal verbs
Phrasal verbs with the word HOLD.
Phrasal verb | Meaning |
---|---|
hold against | have a grudge; show little respect |
hold back | not showing emotion; prevent from progressing or moving forward; not disclose or make public |
hold down | keep or have a job; prevent from moving by restraint; retain in your stomach |
hold forth | state your opinions about something |
hold off | delay; bad weather NOT appearing; prevent someone from attacking or beating you |
hold on | wait; grip tightly |
hold out | resist; extend in front of you |
hold out for | wait for something better |
hold out on | not disclose; not pay |
hold over | delay; go longer than planned |
hold to | hold to something: to do what you have promised or decided; hold someone to something: to make someone do what they have promised or decided. |
hold up | delay especially when travelling; Robbery |
hold with | agree or accept |
Fill in the blank with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.
- Don’t hold _______ me now. Tell me where you were last night.
- It’s hard to hold _______ a job in uncertain economic times.
- “Why aren’t you eating all your dinner?” “I’m holding ________ the chocolate mousse.”
- She doesn’t hold _______ people living together before they are married.
- Jane is holding ______ about capitalism’s benefit again. What a bore!
- We had to hold ______ buying a new house this year as John lost his job.
- The play got held ______ for the third straight week.
- Hold ______ your hands. I have a surprise for you.
- We were held _______ in the city center by a huge traffic jam.
- It’s a bad habit. Don’t hold it _________ me.
- He tried to hold _______ his tears while watching the sad movie but couldn’t.
- “I’m going to clean the kitchen tonight.” “I’m going to hold you _____ that.”
- Hold ______! I’ll be ready in a minute.
Answers
- Don’t hold out on me now. Tell me where you were last night.
- It’s hard to hold down a job in uncertain economic times.
- “Why aren’t you eating all your dinner?” “I’m holding out for the chocolate mousse.”
- She doesn’t hold with people living together before they are married.
- Jane is holding forth about capitalism’s benefit again. What a bore!
- We had to hold out on buying a new house this year as John lost his job.
- The play got held over for the third straight week.
- Hold out your hands. I have a surprise for you.
- We were held up in the city center by a huge traffic jam.
- It’s a bad habit. Don’t hold it against me.
- He tried to hold back his tears while watching the sad movie but couldn’t.
- “I’m going to clean the kitchen tonight.” “I’m going to hold you to that.”
- Hold on! I’ll be ready in a minute.