1 hold
Pronounced:
/ˈhoʊld/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
holds; held /ˈhɛld/ hold·ing Meaning:
1 [+ obj] a : to have or keep (something) in your hand, arms, etc. ▪ Hold the rail so you won't fall. ▪ He was holding his hat (in his hand). ▪ He was holding a large package in his arms. ▪ Would you hold this for me? ▪ She showed him the correct way to hold the racket. ▪ She held his hand. = She held him by the hand. b : to put your arms around (someone) : to embrace or hug (someone) ▪ Some people just don't like to be held. ▪ He held her close/tight and kissed her.
2 a [+ obj] : to put or keep (something or someone) in a specified place or position ▪ He held the pen in his mouth while he dialed the number. ▪ Hold the pen upright when you write. ▪ She picked up the trophy and held it over her head. ▪ You have to hold the button down for several seconds. ▪ I held the door open for her. ▪ Hold your arms at your sides. b [+ obj] : to keep (something or someone) in the same place or position ▪ I need someone to hold this string while I finish tying the knot. ▪ She held the ladder steady while he climbed up it. ▪ It took six guards to hold him (down). ▪ The board was held in place/position by a couple of nails. ▪ The Federal Reserve has been holding interest rates down/up. ▪ The cover was held on by a piece of tape. c [no obj] : to remain in the same place or position ▪ The anchor held. ▪ The line of soldiers held under constant attack. ▪ Please hold still for a moment. ▪ His weight has held steady for several months now.
3 [no obj] : to continue to be good ▪ We arrived late but our luck held and we were able to get tickets. ▪ We hope the weather holds through the weekend.
4 [+ obj] a : to own or possess (something) ▪ The bank holds (the) title to the car. ▪ Do you hold any shares/stock in the company? b : to have or keep (a job, a position, etc.) ▪ She has never before held public office. ▪ It's been a struggle for him to hold a job. ▪ In the last election the Democratic party managed to hold several seats but lost others. ▪ President Franklin Roosevelt held office for 12 years. = Franklin Roosevelt held the office of president for 12 years. c : to succeed in keeping (something that is being attacked) ▪ The troops were able to hold the bridge. ▪ The line of soldiers held their position/ground and fought off the attack. d : to have (something that you have achieved or earned) ▪ She holds a master's degree in chemistry. ▪ a swimmer who holds several world records
5 [+ obj] : to support the pressure or weight of (something or someone) ▪ The floor will hold 10 tons. ▪ I don't know if the roof can hold all that snow.
6 [+ obj] a : to have or keep (a belief, a feeling, etc.) in your mind ▪ There's no need for him to hold [=bear] a grudge against me. ▪ I don't hold any resentment toward/against him. ▪ a belief held by many = a widely held belief ▪ I will always hold that memory in my heart. b somewhat formal : to consider or judge (someone or something) in a specified way ▪ They hold me responsible. —often + for ▪ He should be held accountable for his actions. ▪ The store can't be held liable for damage to your vehicle. —often followed by to + verb ▪ The court held his actions to be grounds for a lawsuit. [=the court said/ruled that his actions were grounds for a lawsuit] ▪ His latest book is generally/widely held [=considered] to be the best one. ▪ “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” —U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776) c not used in progressive tenses somewhat formal : to have or express (an opinion, belief, etc.) —+ that ▪ I hold [=believe] that such problems should be dealt with at the federal level. ▪ The Supreme Court held [=ruled] that the trial court had acted properly. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ Tradition holds that [=it is traditional that] the oldest member of the family be seated first.
7 [+ obj] : to cause (a meeting, class, sale, etc.) to take place ▪ A sale will be held next weekend. ▪ Free elections will be held next month. ▪ We will hold [=have] the meeting at 2 o'clock. ▪ The President has decided to hold [=give] a press conference. ▪ They're holding an art show at the gallery. ▪ The two sides will hold [=have] talks/discussions to resolve the dispute.
8 [+ obj] a : to contain (something) ▪ The box holds his collection of old photographs. b not used in progressive tenses : to have enough room for (an amount) ▪ The disk can hold 1.44 megabytes of data. ▪ How much water can that bucket hold? ▪ The bottle holds two liters. ▪ The dining room holds 500 people.
9 [+ obj] : to continue to have (someone's interest or attention) ▪ The speaker wasn't able to hold [=keep] our interest/attention for long.
10 [+ obj] : to have (a specified quality, feature, etc.) ▪ His eyes held [=had] a quizzical look. ▪ She has always held a special place in my heart. [=I have always had special feelings for her] ▪ This hotel has long held [=claimed] a place among the world's finest. [=has long been considered one of the world's finest] —often + for ▪ Music holds great appeal for many people. [=music appeals greatly to many people] ▪ His job holds no surprises for him. [=nothing about his job surprises him] ▪ Her paintings hold a real fascination for me. [=her paintings fascinate me] ▪ No one can know what the future holds (for us). [=no one can know what will happen (to us) in the future] ▪ These experiments hold great promise for future cancer research.
11 [+ obj] : to stop doing (something) or wait to do (something) ▪ Tell the men to hold their fire [=not shoot] until I give the order. ▪ Hold everything. [=wait; stop] We're not doing this right. ▪ Hold it right there. [=stop right there] Where do you think you're going?
12 [+ obj] a : to keep (something) available for later use ▪ A room at the hotel will be held for us for 24 hours. ▪ We will hold these flight reservations for you until tomorrow. b : to delay the handling of (something, such as a telephone call) for a time ▪ Please hold all my calls while I'm in the meeting.
13 [+ obj] : to prevent (something, such as a vehicle) from leaving ▪ The train was held until the track was cleared. ▪ Would you hold the elevator for me? ▪ Hold that taxi!
14 [+ obj] chiefly US : to not use or include (something) in preparing food ▪ I'd like a roast beef sandwich on rye, and hold the mustard please. [=do not put any mustard on the sandwich]
15 [+ obj] : to force (someone) to stay in a place (such as a prison) ▪ The police are holding him for questioning. ▪ Terrorists are holding the passengers hostage. ▪ They're being held hostage/captive/prisoner. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ He was held captive by his own fears.
16 [+ obj] : to continue moving on (a course) without change ▪ The ship continued to hold its course.
17 [+ obj] of a vehicle : to stay on (a road) in a safe and secure way when being driven at high speeds ▪ The car holds the road well when turning quickly.
18 [no obj] : to be true : to remain valid ▪ Her advice still holds [=applies] today. ▪ The general rule holds in most cases. —often used in the phrases hold true and (less commonly) hold good ▪ The general rule holds true in most cases. ▪ Their son needs support and understanding. The same holds true for all children. ▪ The advice she gave us 10 years ago still holds good today.
19 : to wait to speak to someone on the telephone [no obj] ▪ All operators are currently busy. Please hold. [+ obj] ▪ All operators are busy. Please hold the line for a minute.
2 a [+ obj] : to put or keep (something or someone) in a specified place or position ▪ He held the pen in his mouth while he dialed the number. ▪ Hold the pen upright when you write. ▪ She picked up the trophy and held it over her head. ▪ You have to hold the button down for several seconds. ▪ I held the door open for her. ▪ Hold your arms at your sides. b [+ obj] : to keep (something or someone) in the same place or position ▪ I need someone to hold this string while I finish tying the knot. ▪ She held the ladder steady while he climbed up it. ▪ It took six guards to hold him (down). ▪ The board was held in place/position by a couple of nails. ▪ The Federal Reserve has been holding interest rates down/up. ▪ The cover was held on by a piece of tape. c [no obj] : to remain in the same place or position ▪ The anchor held. ▪ The line of soldiers held under constant attack. ▪ Please hold still for a moment. ▪ His weight has held steady for several months now.
3 [no obj] : to continue to be good ▪ We arrived late but our luck held and we were able to get tickets. ▪ We hope the weather holds through the weekend.
4 [+ obj] a : to own or possess (something) ▪ The bank holds (the) title to the car. ▪ Do you hold any shares/stock in the company? b : to have or keep (a job, a position, etc.) ▪ She has never before held public office. ▪ It's been a struggle for him to hold a job. ▪ In the last election the Democratic party managed to hold several seats but lost others. ▪ President Franklin Roosevelt held office for 12 years. = Franklin Roosevelt held the office of president for 12 years. c : to succeed in keeping (something that is being attacked) ▪ The troops were able to hold the bridge. ▪ The line of soldiers held their position/ground and fought off the attack. d : to have (something that you have achieved or earned) ▪ She holds a master's degree in chemistry. ▪ a swimmer who holds several world records
5 [+ obj] : to support the pressure or weight of (something or someone) ▪ The floor will hold 10 tons. ▪ I don't know if the roof can hold all that snow.
6 [+ obj] a : to have or keep (a belief, a feeling, etc.) in your mind ▪ There's no need for him to hold [=bear] a grudge against me. ▪ I don't hold any resentment toward/against him. ▪ a belief held by many = a widely held belief ▪ I will always hold that memory in my heart. b somewhat formal : to consider or judge (someone or something) in a specified way ▪ They hold me responsible. —often + for ▪ He should be held accountable for his actions. ▪ The store can't be held liable for damage to your vehicle. —often followed by to + verb ▪ The court held his actions to be grounds for a lawsuit. [=the court said/ruled that his actions were grounds for a lawsuit] ▪ His latest book is generally/widely held [=considered] to be the best one. ▪ “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” —U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776) c not used in progressive tenses somewhat formal : to have or express (an opinion, belief, etc.) —+ that ▪ I hold [=believe] that such problems should be dealt with at the federal level. ▪ The Supreme Court held [=ruled] that the trial court had acted properly. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ Tradition holds that [=it is traditional that] the oldest member of the family be seated first.
7 [+ obj] : to cause (a meeting, class, sale, etc.) to take place ▪ A sale will be held next weekend. ▪ Free elections will be held next month. ▪ We will hold [=have] the meeting at 2 o'clock. ▪ The President has decided to hold [=give] a press conference. ▪ They're holding an art show at the gallery. ▪ The two sides will hold [=have] talks/discussions to resolve the dispute.
8 [+ obj] a : to contain (something) ▪ The box holds his collection of old photographs. b not used in progressive tenses : to have enough room for (an amount) ▪ The disk can hold 1.44 megabytes of data. ▪ How much water can that bucket hold? ▪ The bottle holds two liters. ▪ The dining room holds 500 people.
9 [+ obj] : to continue to have (someone's interest or attention) ▪ The speaker wasn't able to hold [=keep] our interest/attention for long.
10 [+ obj] : to have (a specified quality, feature, etc.) ▪ His eyes held [=had] a quizzical look. ▪ She has always held a special place in my heart. [=I have always had special feelings for her] ▪ This hotel has long held [=claimed] a place among the world's finest. [=has long been considered one of the world's finest] —often + for ▪ Music holds great appeal for many people. [=music appeals greatly to many people] ▪ His job holds no surprises for him. [=nothing about his job surprises him] ▪ Her paintings hold a real fascination for me. [=her paintings fascinate me] ▪ No one can know what the future holds (for us). [=no one can know what will happen (to us) in the future] ▪ These experiments hold great promise for future cancer research.
11 [+ obj] : to stop doing (something) or wait to do (something) ▪ Tell the men to hold their fire [=not shoot] until I give the order. ▪ Hold everything. [=wait; stop] We're not doing this right. ▪ Hold it right there. [=stop right there] Where do you think you're going?
12 [+ obj] a : to keep (something) available for later use ▪ A room at the hotel will be held for us for 24 hours. ▪ We will hold these flight reservations for you until tomorrow. b : to delay the handling of (something, such as a telephone call) for a time ▪ Please hold all my calls while I'm in the meeting.
13 [+ obj] : to prevent (something, such as a vehicle) from leaving ▪ The train was held until the track was cleared. ▪ Would you hold the elevator for me? ▪ Hold that taxi!
14 [+ obj] chiefly US : to not use or include (something) in preparing food ▪ I'd like a roast beef sandwich on rye, and hold the mustard please. [=do not put any mustard on the sandwich]
15 [+ obj] : to force (someone) to stay in a place (such as a prison) ▪ The police are holding him for questioning. ▪ Terrorists are holding the passengers hostage. ▪ They're being held hostage/captive/prisoner. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ He was held captive by his own fears.
16 [+ obj] : to continue moving on (a course) without change ▪ The ship continued to hold its course.
17 [+ obj] of a vehicle : to stay on (a road) in a safe and secure way when being driven at high speeds ▪ The car holds the road well when turning quickly.
18 [no obj] : to be true : to remain valid ▪ Her advice still holds [=applies] today. ▪ The general rule holds in most cases. —often used in the phrases hold true and (less commonly) hold good ▪ The general rule holds true in most cases. ▪ Their son needs support and understanding. The same holds true for all children. ▪ The advice she gave us 10 years ago still holds good today.
19 : to wait to speak to someone on the telephone [no obj] ▪ All operators are currently busy. Please hold. [+ obj] ▪ All operators are busy. Please hold the line for a minute.
hold a candle to —see candle
hold against [phrasal verb]
hold (something) against (someone) : to use (something) as a reason to have a bad opinion of (someone) ▪ He lied to her once, and she still holds it against him. ▪ Nobody is going to hold it against you if you don't come. [=no one is going to be angry or upset with you if you don't come]
hold a gun to someone's head —see 1gun
hold all the aces —see 1ace
hold (all/all of) the cards —see 1card
hold back [phrasal verb]
1 a : to stop yourself from doing something ▪ She wanted to introduce herself to him but she held back out of shyness. b : to make a less than complete effort ▪ She could have beaten him in the race, but she held back and let him win. [=she did not run as fast as she could have so that he would win] c hold (someone) back : to stop (someone) from doing something ▪ Once he starts talking, there's no holding him back. [=it's very hard to get him to stop talking]
2 hold (something) back or hold back (something) a : to not allow (something) to be seen or known by someone ▪ He was unable to hold back his tears. [=to keep from crying] ▪ The government held back [=withheld] some crucial information from the media. ▪ I know you're angry, so don't hold anything back (from me). [=tell me everything] b : to keep (something) ▪ He held several thousand dollars back in case of an emergency. c : to delay (something) ▪ The company held back the first shipment of the new product until it was completely ready.
3 hold (someone or something) back or hold back (someone or something) : to stop (someone or something) from moving forward : to stop (someone or something) from advancing to the next level, grade, or stage ▪ She might have been more successful, but bad health held her back. ▪ He was held back [=kept back] in first grade.
2 hold (something) back or hold back (something) a : to not allow (something) to be seen or known by someone ▪ He was unable to hold back his tears. [=to keep from crying] ▪ The government held back [=withheld] some crucial information from the media. ▪ I know you're angry, so don't hold anything back (from me). [=tell me everything] b : to keep (something) ▪ He held several thousand dollars back in case of an emergency. c : to delay (something) ▪ The company held back the first shipment of the new product until it was completely ready.
3 hold (someone or something) back or hold back (someone or something) : to stop (someone or something) from moving forward : to stop (someone or something) from advancing to the next level, grade, or stage ▪ She might have been more successful, but bad health held her back. ▪ He was held back [=kept back] in first grade.
hold court —see 1court
hold down [phrasal verb]
1 hold (something) down or hold down (something) a : to stop (something) from being or becoming too high ▪ Could you please hold the noise down? I'm trying to read. ▪ The company is trying to hold down costs/expenses/prices. b : to continue to have (a job) ▪ It's been a struggle for him to hold down [=keep] a job.
2 hold (someone) down or hold down (someone) : to stop (someone) from doing something or advancing to a higher level, position, etc. ▪ We need to free ourselves of the unfair restrictions that are holding us down.
2 hold (someone) down or hold down (someone) : to stop (someone) from doing something or advancing to a higher level, position, etc. ▪ We need to free ourselves of the unfair restrictions that are holding us down.
hold firm
: to refuse to change what you have been doing or believing ▪ They are holding firm on their refusal to proceed. ▪ Despite opposition, she has held firm to her decision.
hold forth
[phrasal verb] formal : to speak about something for a long time ▪ He held forth about/on the need for reform in his country.
hold in [phrasal verb]
hold (something) in or hold in (something) : to stop (an emotion) from being expressed ▪ Don't hold your feelings in. Let them out.
hold off [phrasal verb]
1 a : to wait to do something ▪ You need to decide now. You can't hold off any longer. ▪ He held off as long as he could. —often + on ▪ She decided to hold off on her vacation for a while longer. ◊If you hold off doing something or hold off on doing something, you wait to do it at a later time. ▪ He held off on announcing his decision. b : to not happen until later ▪ The rain held off until we got home. [=it didn't rain until we got home]
2 hold (someone) off or hold off (someone) : to stop (someone) from coming near someone or something ▪ Her bodyguard held off the crowd. [=kept the crowd away from her]
3 hold (something) off or hold off (something) : to defend against (something) successfully : withstand ▪ The soldiers held off the attack. ▪ Our team held off a late rally by the other team.
2 hold (someone) off or hold off (someone) : to stop (someone) from coming near someone or something ▪ Her bodyguard held off the crowd. [=kept the crowd away from her]
3 hold (something) off or hold off (something) : to defend against (something) successfully : withstand ▪ The soldiers held off the attack. ▪ Our team held off a late rally by the other team.
hold on [phrasal verb]
1 : to have or keep your hand, arms, etc., tightly around something ▪ He was holding on [=hanging on] for dear life. ▪ Hold on (tight). It's going to get bumpy. ▪ The steps are slippery; you'd better hold on to the railing.
2 : to succeed in keeping a position, condition, etc. ▪ I hope we can hold on until help arrives. ▪ They were able to hold on for a 10–9 victory.
3 : to wait or stop briefly ▪ “Can we go now?” “Hold on, I'll be ready in just a minute.”
4 hold on to (something) : to keep possession of (something) ▪ She's trying very hard to hold on to her money. ▪ He has managed to hold on to his lead in the polls. : to not lose or give up (something) ▪ Despite all his troubles, he has somehow held on to his faith in himself.
2 : to succeed in keeping a position, condition, etc. ▪ I hope we can hold on until help arrives. ▪ They were able to hold on for a 10–9 victory.
3 : to wait or stop briefly ▪ “Can we go now?” “Hold on, I'll be ready in just a minute.”
4 hold on to (something) : to keep possession of (something) ▪ She's trying very hard to hold on to her money. ▪ He has managed to hold on to his lead in the polls. : to not lose or give up (something) ▪ Despite all his troubles, he has somehow held on to his faith in himself.
hold out [phrasal verb]
1 a : to continue to exist or be available ▪ I don't know how much longer our supply of food will hold out. [=last] ▪ You should do it while your courage is still holding out. ▪ I'm going to keep writing as long as my money holds out. b : to continue to work ▪ My old car is still holding out.
2 : to continue to oppose someone or defend against something : to refuse to surrender or give in ▪ The troops were able to hold out until help arrived. ▪ Many of the strikers are still holding out. —see also holdout
3 hold out (something) or hold (something) out a : to reach outward with (something, such as your hand) ▪ He held out [=extended] his hand in greeting. ▪ She held out the car keys and asked him to drive. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ I held out the hand of friendship to my enemies. [=I offered friendship to my enemies] b : to say that there is a good reason to have (something, such as hope) ▪ The doctor didn't hold out [=offer] much hope for her recovery. [=the doctor didn't say that there was much hope for her recovery] c : to say that (a possibility) exists ▪ The mayor has held out the possibility that the library will be expanded in the future. [=has said that it is possible that the library will be expanded]
4 hold out for (something) : to refuse to accept or agree to something in order to get (something) ▪ The workers are holding out for higher pay. ▪ The wide receiver is holding out for a new contract.
5 hold out on (someone) informal : to keep something (such as information) from (someone) ▪ She didn't tell me she was rich; she's been holding out on me.
2 : to continue to oppose someone or defend against something : to refuse to surrender or give in ▪ The troops were able to hold out until help arrived. ▪ Many of the strikers are still holding out. —see also holdout
3 hold out (something) or hold (something) out a : to reach outward with (something, such as your hand) ▪ He held out [=extended] his hand in greeting. ▪ She held out the car keys and asked him to drive. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ I held out the hand of friendship to my enemies. [=I offered friendship to my enemies] b : to say that there is a good reason to have (something, such as hope) ▪ The doctor didn't hold out [=offer] much hope for her recovery. [=the doctor didn't say that there was much hope for her recovery] c : to say that (a possibility) exists ▪ The mayor has held out the possibility that the library will be expanded in the future. [=has said that it is possible that the library will be expanded]
4 hold out for (something) : to refuse to accept or agree to something in order to get (something) ▪ The workers are holding out for higher pay. ▪ The wide receiver is holding out for a new contract.
5 hold out on (someone) informal : to keep something (such as information) from (someone) ▪ She didn't tell me she was rich; she's been holding out on me.
hold over [phrasal verb]
1 hold over (something) or hold (something) over a : to cause (something) to happen later ▪ A vote on the proposal has been held over [=delayed, postponed] until tomorrow. b US : to cause (something) to continue beyond a normal or planned time ▪ The movie is being held over for two more weeks. [=the movie will continue to be shown for two more weeks]
2 hold (something or someone) over or hold over (something or someone) : to keep (something or someone) from an earlier time ▪ He is the only player to have been held over from their previous team. —see also holdover
3 hold (something) over (someone) : to use your knowledge of (something) to influence or control the behavior of (someone) ▪ She knows about his criminal past and has been holding it over him [=she has been threatening to tell other people about his criminal past] to force him to cooperate.
2 hold (something or someone) over or hold over (something or someone) : to keep (something or someone) from an earlier time ▪ He is the only player to have been held over from their previous team. —see also holdover
3 hold (something) over (someone) : to use your knowledge of (something) to influence or control the behavior of (someone) ▪ She knows about his criminal past and has been holding it over him [=she has been threatening to tell other people about his criminal past] to force him to cooperate.
hold the bag (US) or Brit hold the baby
informal : to be given all of the blame or responsibility that should be shared with others ▪ His friends ran away and he was stuck/left holding the bag.
hold the fort —see fort
hold the line —see 1line
hold to [phrasal verb]
1 a hold to (something) : to continue to have or follow (a plan, purpose, etc.) ▪ He has held to his plan of exercising regularly. : to not change (a decision, belief, etc.) ▪ Despite opposition, she has held to her decision. b hold (someone) to (something) : to force (someone) to do what is required by (something, such as a promise) ▪ You made a promise and I'm going to hold you to it. ▪ He was held to an impossible standard. [=he was required to meet very high expectations]
2 hold (someone) to (something) : to prevent (an opponent) from having or getting more than (a specified number of scores or shots) ▪ Our team held the other team to just three runs. ▪ The defense held him to only one shot attempt in the first half.
2 hold (someone) to (something) : to prevent (an opponent) from having or getting more than (a specified number of scores or shots) ▪ Our team held the other team to just three runs. ▪ The defense held him to only one shot attempt in the first half.
hold together [phrasal verb]
1 : to stay joined together or in one piece ▪ The empire held together for many decades.
2 hold (something) together or hold together (something) : to cause (something) to stay joined together or in one piece ▪ The coach hopes to hold the team together for at least one more season. ▪ The box was held together by a strong glue.
2 hold (something) together or hold together (something) : to cause (something) to stay joined together or in one piece ▪ The coach hopes to hold the team together for at least one more season. ▪ The box was held together by a strong glue.
hold up [phrasal verb]
1 : to continue in the same condition without failing or losing effectiveness or force ▪ The sales team was holding up well under the stress. ▪ The nurse came in to see how I was holding up. ▪ Their music still holds up 20 years later.
2 hold (something) up or hold up (something) : to raise (something) ▪ He held up his hand.
3 hold up (something or someone) or hold (something or someone) up a : to delay, stop, or slow the movement, progress, or action of (something or someone) : delay ▪ Their decision was held up for months. ▪ A major accident held traffic up for hours. ▪ She was late for the meeting because she got held up in traffic. —see also holdup b : to use a gun to rob (a person, store, etc.) ▪ Someone held up the gas station. ▪ He was held up by a masked robber. —see also holdup c : to cause (someone or something) to be noticed for a particular reason ▪ His work has been held up to ridicule. [=his work has been ridiculed] ▪ Experts have been holding these programs up as examples of government waste.
2 hold (something) up or hold up (something) : to raise (something) ▪ He held up his hand.
3 hold up (something or someone) or hold (something or someone) up a : to delay, stop, or slow the movement, progress, or action of (something or someone) : delay ▪ Their decision was held up for months. ▪ A major accident held traffic up for hours. ▪ She was late for the meeting because she got held up in traffic. —see also holdup b : to use a gun to rob (a person, store, etc.) ▪ Someone held up the gas station. ▪ He was held up by a masked robber. —see also holdup c : to cause (someone or something) to be noticed for a particular reason ▪ His work has been held up to ridicule. [=his work has been ridiculed] ▪ Experts have been holding these programs up as examples of government waste.
hold water —see 1water
hold with [phrasal verb]
hold with (something) : to agree with or approve of (something) —usually used in negative statements ▪ I don't hold with all these newfangled notions!
hold your breath —see breath
hold your ground —see 1ground
hold your horses —see 1horse
hold your liquor —see liquor
hold your nose —see 1nose
hold your own
: to do well in a difficult situation ▪ It was a tough interview, but she managed to hold her own. ▪ She's been holding her own against cancer.
hold your tongue also hold your peace
: to keep silent : to not say anything about something ▪ It was difficult, but he somehow managed to hold his tongue.