1hold 
/ˈhoʊld/ verb
holds; held /ˈhoʊld/ verb /ˈhɛld/; hold·ing 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ We arrived late but our luck held and we were able to get tickets. ▪ We hope the weather holds through the weekend.
▪ 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
▪ The floor will hold 10 tons. ▪ I don't know if the roof can hold all that snow.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ The speaker wasn't able to hold [=keep] our interest/attention for long.
▪ 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.
▪ 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?
▪ 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.
▪ The train was held until the track was cleared. ▪ Would you hold the elevator for me? ▪ Hold that taxi!
▪ I'd like a roast beef sandwich on rye, and hold the mustard please. [=do not put any mustard on the sandwich]
▪ 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.
▪ The ship continued to hold its course.
▪ The car holds the road well when turning quickly.
▪ 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.
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]
▪ 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.
▪ 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]
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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]
▪ Her bodyguard held off the crowd. [=kept the crowd away from her]
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ I hope we can hold on until help arrives. ▪ They were able to hold on for a 10–9 victory.
▪ “Can we go now?” “Hold on, I'll be ready in just a minute.”
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ The troops were able to hold out until help arrived. ▪ Many of the strikers are still holding out. — see also holdout
▪ 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]
▪ The workers are holding out for higher pay. ▪ The wide receiver is holding out for a new contract.
▪ 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.
▪ 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]
▪ He is the only player to have been held over from their previous team. — see also holdover
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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]
▪ 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.
▪ The empire held together for many decades.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ He held up his hand.
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ It was difficult, but he somehow managed to hold his tongue.
