verb
/ˈhoʊld/ holds; held /ˈhɛld/; holding
[+ obj] to have or keep (something) in your hand, arms, etc.
to put your arms around (someone) :to embrace or hug (someone)
[+ obj] :to put or keep (something or someone) in a specified place or position
[+ obj] :to keep (something or someone) in the same place or position
[no obj] :to remain in the same place or position
[no obj] :to continue to be good
[+ obj] to own or possess (something)
to have or keep (a job, a position, etc.)
to succeed in keeping (something that is being attacked)
to have (something that you have achieved or earned)
[+ obj] :to support the pressure or weight of (something or someone)
[+ obj] to have or keep (a belief, a feeling, etc.) in your mind
b somewhat formal :to consider or judge (someone or something) in a specified way
c not used in progressive tenses somewhat formal :to have or express (an opinion, belief, etc.) - + that
[+ obj] :to cause (a meeting, class, sale, etc.) to take place
[+ obj] to contain (something)
b not used in progressive tenses :to have enough room for (an amount)
[+ obj] :to continue to have (someone's interest or attention)
[+ obj] :to have (a specified quality, feature, etc.)
[+ obj] :to stop doing (something) or wait to do (something)
[+ obj] to keep (something) available for later use
to delay the handling of (something, such as a telephone call) for a time
[+ obj] :to prevent (something, such as a vehicle) from leaving
[+ obj] chiefly US :to not use or include (something) in preparing food
[+ obj] :to force (someone) to stay in a place (such as a prison)
[+ obj] :to continue moving on (a course) without change
[+ obj] of a vehicle :to stay on (a road) in a safe and secure way when being driven at high speeds
[no obj] :to be true :to remain valid
to wait to speak to someone on the telephone [no obj]
hold a candle to
hold against
[phrasal verb]
hold (something) against (someone) :to use (something) as a reason to have a bad opinion of (someone)
hold a gun to someone's head
hold all the aces
hold (all/all of) the cards
hold back
[phrasal verb]
to stop yourself from doing something
to make a less than complete effort
c hold (someone) back :to stop (someone) from doing something
hold (something) back or hold back (something)
to not allow (something) to be seen or known by someone
to keep (something)
to delay (something)
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
hold court
hold down
[phrasal verb]
hold (something) down or hold down (something)
to stop (something) from being or becoming too high
to continue to have (a job)
hold (someone) down or hold down (someone) :to stop (someone) from doing something or advancing to a higher level, position, etc.
hold firm
to refuse to change what you have been doing or believing
hold forth
[phrasal verb] formal :to speak about something for a long time
hold hands
or hold someone's hand
hold in
[phrasal verb]
hold (something) in or hold in (something) :to stop (an emotion) from being expressed
hold off
[phrasal verb]
to wait to do something
If you hold off doing something or hold off on doing something, you wait to do it at a later time.
to not happen until later
hold (someone) off or hold off (someone) :to stop (someone) from coming near someone or something
hold (something) off or hold off (something) :to defend against (something) successfully :withstand
hold on
[phrasal verb]
to have or keep your hand, arms, etc., tightly around something
to succeed in keeping a position, condition, etc.
to wait or stop briefly
hold on to (something) :to keep possession of (something)
hold out
[phrasal verb]
to continue to exist or be available
to continue to work
to continue to oppose someone or defend against something :to refuse to surrender or give in
hold out (something) or hold (something) out
to reach outward with (something, such as your hand)
to say that there is a good reason to have (something, such as hope)
to say that (a possibility) exists
hold out for (something) :to refuse to accept or agree to something in order to get (something)
hold out on (someone) informal :to keep something (such as information) from (someone)
hold over
[phrasal verb]
hold over (something) or hold (something) over
to cause (something) to happen later
b US :to cause (something) to continue beyond a normal or planned time
hold (something or someone) over or hold over (something or someone) :to keep (something or someone) from an earlier time
hold (something) over (someone) :to use your knowledge of (something) to influence or control the behavior of (someone)
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
hold the fort
hold the line
hold to
[phrasal verb]
a hold to (something) :to continue to have or follow (a plan, purpose, etc.)
b hold (someone) to (something) :to force (someone) to do what is required by (something, such as a promise)
hold (someone) to (something) :to prevent (an opponent) from having or getting more than (a specified number of scores or shots)
hold together
[phrasal verb]
to stay joined together or in one piece
hold (something) together or hold together (something) :to cause (something) to stay joined together or in one piece
hold up
[phrasal verb]
to continue in the same condition without failing or losing effectiveness or force
hold (something) up or hold up (something) :to raise (something)
hold up (something or someone) or hold (something or someone) up
to delay, stop, or slow the movement, progress, or action of (something or someone) :delay
to use a gun to rob (a person, store, etc.)
to cause (someone or something) to be noticed for a particular reason
hold water
hold with
[phrasal verb]
hold with (something) :to agree with or approve of (something) - usually used in negative statements
hold your breath
hold your ground
hold your horses
hold your liquor
hold your nose
hold your own
to do well in a difficult situation
hold your tongue
also hold your peace
to keep silent :to not say anything about something
noun
plural holds
the act of holding or gripping something [count]
usually singular
[count] :a way of holding your opponent in wrestling
[singular] power that is used to control something or someone
an understanding of something - usually + on
[count] :something that can be held or stepped on for support while you are climbing
[singular] :an order that something is to be kept for a particular person or time
[count] :an area on a ship or airplane where cargo is stored
cop hold of
get hold of
or chiefly US get a hold of
to get possession of (something) :to succeed in getting (something)
to find and talk to (someone) :to contact (someone)
get hold of yourself or chiefly US get a hold of yourself :to get control of your thoughts and emotions and stop behaving in a foolish or uncontrolled way
lay hold of
to take and hold (something) :grab
to understand (something)
no holds barred
If there are no holds barred, there are no limits or rules for what can and cannot be done in a particular situation. - see also no-holds-barred
on hold
in the state of waiting to speak to someone on the telephone
in the state of being delayed for a time
take hold
or chiefly US take a hold
to become effective, established, or popular