1an act or manner of grasping something; a grip:he caught hold of her armhe lost his hold and fell
a particular way of grasping or restraining someone, especially an opponent in wrestling or judo.
a place where one can grip with one’s hands or feet while climbing:he felt carefully with his feet for a hold and swung himself up
2 [in singular] power or control:Tom had some kind of hold over his father
3 archaic a fortress.
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with object] grasp, carry, or support with one’s arms or hands:she was holding a brown leather suitcase [no object]:he held on to the back of a chair
[with object and adverbial] keep or sustain in a specified position:I held the door open for him
embrace (someone):Mark pulled her into his arms and held her close
be able to bear (the weight of a person or thing):I reached up to the nearest branch which seemed likely to hold my weight
(of a vehicle) maintain close contact with (the road), especially when driven at speed:the car holds the corners very well
(of a ship or an aircraft) continue to follow (a particular course):the ship is holding a south-easterly course
[no object, with adverbial of direction] archaic keep going in a particular direction:he held on his way, close behind his friend
2 [with object] keep or detain (someone):the police were holding him on a murder charge [with object and complement]:she was held prisoner for two days
keep possession of (something), typically in the face of a challenge or attack:the rebels held the town for many weeks [no object]:White managed to hold on to his lead
keep (someone’s interest or attention).
(of a singer or musician) sustain (a note).
stay or cause to stay at a certain value or level: [no object]:MCI shares held at 77p [with object]:they are trying to hold public spending to £244.5 billion
(in sport) manage to achieve a draw against (opponents thought likely to win):AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Udinese
3 [no object] remain secure, intact, or in position without breaking or giving way:the boat’s anchor would not hold
(of a favourable condition or situation) continue without changing:let’s hope her luck holds
be or remain valid or available:I’ll have that coffee now, if the offer still holds
(of an argument or theory) be logical, consistent, or convincing:their views still seem to hold up extremely well
(hold to) refuse to abandon or change (a principle or opinion):those who held to the view that Britain should not be part of the Common Market
[with object] (hold someone to) cause someone to adhere to (a commitment):the role of the media ought to be to hold politicians to their promises
4 [with object] contain or be capable of containing (a specified amount):the tank held twenty-four gallons
be able to drink (a reasonable amount of alcohol) without becoming drunk or suffering any ill effects:I can hold my drink as well as anyone
have or be characterized by:I don’t know what the future holds
5 [with object] have in one’s possession:the managing director still holds fifty shares in the company
[no object]North American informal be in possession of illegal drugs:he was holding, and the police hauled him off to jail
have or occupy (a job or position):she held office from 1985 to 90
[with object] have (a belief or opinion):I feel nothing but pity for someone who holds such chauvinistic views [with clause]:they hold that all literature is empty of meaning
[with object and complement] consider (someone) to be responsible or liable for a particular situation:you can’t hold yourself responsible for what happened
(hold someone/thing in) regard someone or something with (a specified feeling):the speed limit is held in contempt by many drivers
[with clause] (of a judge or court) rule; decide:the Court of Appeal held that there was no evidence to support the judge’s assessment
6 [with object] keep or reserve for someone:a booking can be held for twenty-four hours
maintain (a telephone connection) until the person one has telephoned is free to speak:please hold the line, and I’ll see if he’s available [no object]:will you hold?
7 [with object] prevent from going ahead or occurring:hold your fire!
North American informal refrain from adding or using (something, typically an item of food or drink):a strawberry margarita, but hold the tequila
(hold it) informal wait or stop doing something:hold it right there, mate!
[no object] archaic restrain oneself:‘Hold, hold!’ he cried
8 [with object] arrange and take part in (a meeting or conversation):a meeting was held at the church
be left holding the baby (or North Americanbag)
informal be left with an unwelcome responsibility, typically without warning.
get hold of
grasp physically.
informal obtain:if you can’t get hold of ripe tomatoes, add some tomato purée
informal find or manage to contact (someone):I’ll try and get hold of Mark
[often with negative] (of a statement, theory, or line of reasoning) appear to be valid, sound, or reasonable:this argument just does not hold water
no holds barred
(in wrestling) with no restrictions on the kinds of holds that are used.
used to convey that no rules or restrictions apply in a conflict or dispute:no-holds-barred military action
on hold
waiting to be connected while making a telephone call:‘I’ll just see if he’s free,’ Rachel said, and put me on hold
temporarily not being dealt with or pursued:he has had to put his career on hold
take hold
start to have an effect:the reforms of the late nineteenth century had taken hold
there is no holding someone
used to convey that someone is particularly determined or cannot be prevented from doing something:once Eva had found her vocation there was no holding her
hold something against someone
allow past actions or circumstances to have a negative influence on one’s present attitude towards someone:if he failed her, she would hold it against him forever
hold back
hesitate to act or speak:he held back, remembering the mistake he had made before
hold someone/thing back
prevent or restrict the progress or development of someone or something:my lack of experience held me back a bit
(hold something back) refuse or be unwilling to make something known:you’re not holding anything back from me, are you?
hold someone down
keep someone under strict control or severely restrict their freedom:the people are held down by a repressive military regime
hold something down
informal succeed in keeping a job or position for a period of time:holding down two jobs was proving tiring for him
hold forth
talk lengthily, assertively, or tediously about a subject:he was holding forth on the merits of the band’s debut LP
hold something in
suppress an expression of emotion:she tried to stop laughing, but it was too much to hold in
hold someone/thing off
resist an attacker or challenge:he held off a late challenge by Vose to win by thirteen seconds
hold off
(of bad weather) fail to occur:fortunately, the rain held off until the evening
delay or postpone an action or decision:if I was in their shoes, I’d hold off for a couple of days
hold on
1 [often in imperative] wait; stop:hold on a minute, I’ll be right back!
2endure in difficult circumstances:if only they could hold on a little longer
hold on to
keep:the industry is trying to hold on to experienced staff
hold out
resist or survive in difficult circumstances:British troops held out against constant attacks
continue to be sufficient:we can stay here for as long as our supplies hold out
hold out for
continue to demand (a particular thing), refusing to accept what has been offered:he is holding out for a guaranteed 7 per cent rise
hold out on
informal refuse to give something, typically information, to (someone).
hold something out
offer a chance or hope:a new drug may hold out hope for patients with lung cancer
hold something over
1postpone something:the usual family gathering was held over until late January
2use a piece of information to threaten or intimidate (someone).
hold together (or hold something together)
remain or cause to remain united:if your party holds together, you will probably win
hold up
remain strong or vigorous:the Labour vote held up well
hold someone/thing up
1support and prevent something from falling:concrete pillars hold up the elevated section of the railway
2display something by holding it above one’s waist or head:he held up the book so she could see the cover
present or expose someone or something as an example or for particular treatment:they were held up to public ridicule
3delay or block the movement or progress of someone or something:our return flight was held up for seven hours
4rob someone or something using threats or violence:a masked raider held up the post office
5 Bridge refrain from playing a winning card for tactical reasons.
hold with
[with negative] informal approve of:I don’t hold with fighting or violence
