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hold

hold

209 4.2
Power that someone has over other people
  • noun
  • /hoʊld/
translation icon : influencia
  • You have a hold on it.
  • take hold
  • weaken their hold
  • break the hold

But it did shrink its hold on the populace.

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Examples

  • People with a hold on you: none.

  • But he's had a hold on you ever since you were a little boy.

  • Then I think we have to really break the hold of those vested interests on, you know, on the system.

  • I serve an on-time God, and he will deliver us from this financial hold your bank has on us.

  • In all cases, this is an attempt to strengthen the hold of a corrupt ruling group.

  • But the conservatives' hold on power at the state level was more tenuous than they believed.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Look what she did to me and how it has shaped my life that that person does not deserve to have that kind of hold over your heart and your joy.

  • One of its effects is to tighten the left's hold on the universities.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Since then, as personalization has taken a stronger hold on adult services, cooperatives have risen up the political agenda.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The committee is working to loosen the hold of corruption on local politics.

Synonyms

power
vshold
3.4

Ability to control people or events

is narrower, focusing on social influence rather than formal rights
force
vshold
909 3.8

A person or group with power to make things happen

is about having influence rather than being an acting agent
influence
vshold
430 3.4

Person or thing that changes how people think and behave

is similar but highlights general social strength rather than subtle persuasion
grip
vshold
146 3.0

A firm understanding of a topic or control of a situation

focuses on social effect rather than clear, practical physical control
domination
vshold
102 4.7

To have power or control over other people

focuses on having influence rather than the act of dominating
dominance
vshold
81 5.1

Power and control over other people or groups

is more about broad ability to affect others than formal ruling power
pull
vshold
80 5.1

A force that draws things or gives someone an advantage

is general affecting power rather than a personal advantage or contact
upper hand
vshold
  • Informal
54 3.2

A position giving power or advantage over someone in a situation

is wider, referring to ongoing influence rather than a one situation edge
sway
vshold
26 5.1

Power over other people and events

is broader, covering any influence not only persuasive effect on choices
stranglehold
vshold
17 8.0

A strong control that prevents others from changing things or acting freely

describes influence more generally rather than absolute, overwhelming control
ascendancy
vshold
9 8.2

A position of power over other people or groups

is the general idea of influence rather than an advancing position
mastery
vshold
7 5.6

Power that lets someone control people and places

is about social or relational influence rather than skilled superiority
ascendance
vshold
3 8.0

Power or influence over other people

places emphasis on general affecting power rather than specific authority
chokehold
vshold
3 8.0

A strong control that stops people or groups from acting freely

expresses influence in general rather than forceful, immobilizing dominance
ascendence
vshold
9.0

Having power over other people or groups

is the broader capacity to affect people rather than the formal state
potestate
vshold
  • Archaic
9.9

Power to control people or places

is broader influence rather than specific legal or formal authority

Idioms

169 2.5

Stopped for a short time until someone decides to continue

75 1.2

Ask someone to wait for a short time

to hold a grudge
  • Informal
42 4.8

To feel angry at someone for something they did in the past that hurt you

Make someone do what they promised or take responsibility by pressuring them

to hold the bag
  • Informal
11 8.8

End up responsible for the blame or a problem others avoid

8 6.1

To have control or an advantage in a situation

8 8.2

Tell someone to wait so you can check or explain something

7 5.5

To have complete control and a strong advantage in a situation

Do what you promised in an agreement

4 4.4

Act proudly and confidently, not ashamed

3 5.4

To stay silent to avoid saying something rude

3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

Ask anyone who objects to speak now or be silent forever

1 8.1

Do not expect it to happen soon or at all

Keep speaking for a long time in a meeting so others cannot speak

1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

1 9.7

To keep from peeing for a while

1 7.8

Drink alcohol without getting drunk

to hold the baby
  • Informal
1 8.8

To have the only responsibility for a hard problem when others avoid it

8.1

To be able to drink alcohol without getting drunk

9.0

To drink alcohol without becoming very drunk or sick

9.9

A joking request to someone to hold your drink before doing something daring

hold my beer
  • Slang
9.9

A joking way to say you will try something daring or foolish after someone else does

7.5

To do something unpleasant because it is necessary

5.0

Do as well as others in a difficult situation

Keep a wedding ring safely until it is needed in the ceremony

To support two opposite sides at the same time to please both

too hot to hold
  • Informal
7.6

So popular that people buy it very quickly

Compounds

18 3.9

A process in which an idea or habit starts to be accepted by many people

16 3.9

A space on a ship or plane that contains goods during transport

15 5.4

A robbery using threats or a sudden delay

choke hold
  • NSFW
7 7.5

A tight arm around someone's neck from behind to stop them moving or make them pass out

3 4.1

A firm grip with the hands or arms that keeps something from moving

1 4.8

A thing you can hold for support, or simple help for someone new

scissor hold
  • Jargon
1 7.8

A position where someone wraps their legs around an opponent's body or head and presses their feet together to squeeze

wrestling hold
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A grip or move used to control an opponent in a match

A big delay that stops or slows progress

7.0

A rule that limits how much something can rise

hold-up play
  • Jargon
5.9

A way a player keeps the ball to let teammates move forward

scissors hold
  • Jargon
8.1

A wrestler wraps their legs around someone's body or head and squeezes them with the feet

How Influential

domination
102 4.7
control
2.8
hold
209 4.2
influence
806 2.3
clout
73 5.3

Surface Forms

hold singular
holds plural

Etymology

The noun hold meaning power or influence comes from the Old English healdan, meaning 'to grip' or 'keep', so if someone has a 'hold' over others they have a strong 'grip' on their feelings or actions.