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to hold

to hold

1.9
To stop yourself from showing a feeling or reaction
  • verb
  • /hoʊld/
translation icon : retener
  • The study also showed that girls hold more positive attitudes than males towards the language and its use.
  • hold hostage
  • hold captive
  • hold still

But the glue that holds you in place is the story.

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Examples

  • Again, this gives them a degree of power within the group while holding them accountable.

    Academic text (2013)
  • My men can hold them.

  • All right, so I want you to hold it right there.

  • Trying to hold me back.

  • She's being held in custody.

  • For Dante's benefit, they are held still while he speaks to them.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And they can't restrain him and hold him there, right.

  • Another major obstacle is the sway that local officials continue to hold over the courts.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Malaysia's indigenes face a steep uphill battle to hold on to their traditional lands and resources.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The teacher had to hold the noisy students back until they calmed down.

Synonyms

to keep
vsto hold
1.0

To protect someone or something from harm

has a wider sense of control or restraint beyond simple protection
to control
vsto hold
2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

leans more toward keeping within limits or preventing movement specifically
to limit
vsto hold
2.1

To control how much or how often something happens

is wider, including physical holding and restraining movement as well
to lock
vsto hold
398 2.5

To become stiff and unable to move a part of the body

is less about fixing in place and more about general control or limits
to contain
vsto hold
388 3.5

To keep something dangerous from spreading or getting worse

focuses more on holding or restraining rather than preventing spread specifically
to tie
vsto hold
314 4.2

To make someone stay in one place or situation

is broader, including nonbinding forms of control and keeping within limits
to confine
vsto hold
215 4.2

Keep someone or something within limits, for example in a small space

is more general, covering both limiting and wider control actions
to hold back
vsto hold
187 3.2

Stop someone or something from moving forward

also includes keeping within limits rather than only stopping progress
to confine to
vsto hold
106 4.8

To keep something within set limits, for example in a room or a topic

is broader and can apply beyond area or subject restrictions
to check
vsto hold
104 3.7

Stop something from growing or spreading

is more general and includes holding in place as well
to restrain
vsto hold
86 4.6

Hold a person or thing so it cannot move freely

focuses more on general control or keeping within limits
to curb
vsto hold
73 3.5

To limit or control something to stop it getting worse

is broader and covers general restraint or confinement too
to constrain
vsto hold
64 5.6

To limit what someone can do or how they can act

is broader, covering both restriction and active control
to retain
vsto hold
60 3.0

To hold something inside so it does not escape

is a broader idea of controlling or restraining beyond containment
to rein in
vsto hold
53 4.6

To keep someone or something under control, for example by limiting spending

is more general, including stopping and holding within bounds
to shackle
vsto hold
35 6.2

To restrain someone with chains or limit their freedom

is broader and can mean control without literal binding
to moderate
vsto hold
34 4.4

To make something less strong or intense

is about limiting or restraining in general, not only reducing intensity
to hold down
vsto hold
22 3.2

To keep something low and stop it from getting bigger

covers that idea but also physical holding and general restraint
to hold steady
vsto hold
17 2.9

Keep something or someone in place and still

is wider, applying to control, restraint, and keeping within limits

Antonyms

1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

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

Phrasal Verbs

to hold on
  • Informal
1.3

To wait for a short time during a phone call

187 3.2

Stop someone or something from moving forward

180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

173 3.3

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

163 3.7

To remain strong or effective under pressure

141 2.0

To keep a strong grip on something so it does not fall

139 3.7

To refuse to give up until you get what you want

115 3.4

To support the weight of something so it does not fall

108 4.2

Keep yourself from showing feelings or telling others

90 2.8

To cause a delay in plans or progress

Keep parts or people joined and working as one

89 3.7

To show someone as an example to praise or admire

89 3.5

To put a hand forward to show or give something

78 3.8

To wait before doing something

72 1.6

To keep something instead of selling or giving it away

66 3.2

To contact a person or obtain something you need

65 4.5

To stop yourself from showing strong feelings

61 5.6

Stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

55 4.0

To stop an opponent from moving forward by keeping your position

47 5.6

To stop shooting or attacking and wait before taking action

to hold tight
  • Informal
42 2.2

Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe

To wait before doing something

To reach someone by phone or message

33 3.8

To begin to control a situation or people's actions

to hold up
  • NSFW
28 5.8

To rob someone using a weapon or threats

25 3.5

To stay loyal to a promise, plan or belief

To take something in your hand

To feel strong dislike and no respect for someone or something

22 3.5

To care about someone or something very much

22 3.2

To keep something low and stop it from getting bigger

21 6.7

Ask someone to wait before saying more about an idea

Grab something or someone with your hands

19 4.5

Take care of a place or job while someone is away

17 3.2

Keep something for later use

Keep something or someone in place and still

16 3.5

Wait before doing something because you feel unsure

15 3.9

To keep a job or position during difficult times

15 2.0

To grasp something with your hands

15 3.9

To last long enough when supplies or power are low

14 3.7

Keep something available while you delay a final decision

To wait on the phone without hanging up

12 4.9

To make sense and seem believable when checked

11 5.5

To stay firmly attached to something or keep believing strongly in an idea

To stop breathing for a short time or wait anxiously

10 2.8

To comfort and guide someone who feels anxious or unsure

9 4.5

To refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure

9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

To keep a job for a long time despite problems

8 5.8

Do your share of the work in a group

To refuse to change a decision or rule under pressure

To feel a strong emotion suddenly that controls you

To get people to listen and enjoy what you say

Be as good as people expect

Talk for a long time about a subject, like giving a lecture

4 8.3

To agree with an idea or way of doing things

To keep prices or spending at the same level

To keep reminding someone of a past mistake to control them

3 7.2

To threaten someone with secret information to make them obey

1 4.6

To keep something for use or sale after its planned time

To keep a light near someone so they can see what they are doing

to hold a patent
  • Specialized
1 4.8

To have the right given by the government to make or sell an invention

To make you think about the past because of an object or place

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

To still be correct when people look at it carefully

to hold alcohol
  • Informal
6.8

Can drink alcohol without getting drunk quickly

To stop yourself from making a sound when something is funny

to hold cheap
  • Literature
7.2

To think someone or something has little value

5.5

To stay calm and in control during a difficult situation

To threaten someone with a past mistake to control them

To keep trying to reach a goal even when things are hard

7.5

Allow something unpleasant without complaining

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 Restrained

to immobilize
21 6.0
to detain
  • Formal
169 5.9
to confine
215 4.2
to restrain
86 4.6
to hold
1.9
check
218 3.4

Surface Forms

hold infinitive
holding present participle
holds third person singular
held past
held past participle

Etymology

Hold goes back to Old English healdan, meaning 'to keep' or 'restrain', so to hold your anger or your tongue is to 'keep' it under control.