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⏸️ To reserve 🤲 To carry 🧴 To contain ✋ To control 📅 To organize 🛑 To stay unchanged 👑 To have authority 🧠 To believe ⚖️ To decide legally 👐 A tight grip ⏳ A pause 🎯 To aim 🪢 Influence 👀 To captivate 🚢 A storage space 🍻 To drink easily
to hold

to hold

91 8.4
To drink alcohol without appearing drunk
  • verb
  • /hoʊld/
  • Informal
translation icon : aguantar el alcohol
  • They would have you believe I couldn't hold my liquor, which anyone who knows me knows is a baseless canard.

Why can't grown men hold their own drinks?

Examples

  • It's too bad he can't hold his liquor.

    The Hustler (1961)

  • Why can't grown men hold their own drinks?

    I've Had It

  • I was always so proud of the fact that I can hold my liquor.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • He made fun of how he holds his liquor.

    Marvin's Room (1996)

  • He's a notorious drinker, but he holds it better than anyone I know.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • He can really hold his liquor, even after several rounds of drinks at the party.

  • Despite the heavy drinking, she was able to hold her alcohol and maintain her composure.

  • It's impressive how well he can hold his drinks without showing any signs of intoxication.

Synonyms

to hold one's alcohol
vsto hold
  • Informal
1 7.8

Drink alcohol without getting drunk

is the same idea but used for any person
to hold my alcohol
vsto hold
  • Informal
9.0

To drink alcohol without becoming very drunk or sick

is the general form not tied to the speaker
to hold one's drink
vsto hold
  • Informal
8.1

To be able to drink alcohol without getting drunk

emphasizes lack of visible harm rather than control
to hold alcohol
vsto hold
  • Informal
6.8

Can drink alcohol without getting drunk quickly

uses a more clinical tone and stresses incapacity risk

Idioms

on hold
169 2.5

Stopped for a short time until someone decides to continue

to hold on a second
  • Informal
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

to hold someone's feet to the fire
  • Informal
12 8.1

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

to hold the cards
  • Informal
8 6.1

To have control or an advantage in a situation

to hold the phone
  • Informal
8 8.2

Tell someone to wait so you can check or explain something

to hold all the cards
  • Informal
7 5.5

To have complete control and a strong advantage in a situation

to hold up one's end of the bargain
  • Informal
7 4.4

Do what you promised in an agreement

to hold one's head high
  • Informal
4 4.4

Act proudly and confidently, not ashamed

to hold one's tongue
  • Informal
3 5.4

To stay silent to avoid saying something rude

to hold the reins
  • Informal
3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

speak now or forever hold your peace
  • Formal
2 8.5

Ask anyone who objects to speak now or be silent forever

don't hold your breath
  • Informal
1 8.1

Do not expect it to happen soon or at all

to hold the floor
1 6.1

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

to hold one's horses
  • Informal
1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

to hold one's water
  • Informal
1 9.7

To keep from peeing for a while

to hold one's alcohol
  • Informal
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

to hold one's drink
  • Informal
8.1

To be able to drink alcohol without getting drunk

to hold my alcohol
  • Informal
9.0

To drink alcohol without becoming very drunk or sick

to hold my alcohol
  • Slang
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

to hold one's nose
  • Informal
7.5

To do something unpleasant because it is necessary

to hold one's own
  • Informal
5.0

Do as well as others in a difficult situation

to hold the ring
6.8

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

to hold with the hare and run with the hounds
  • Informal
9.9

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

to hold back
187 3.2

Stop someone or something from moving forward

to hold onto
180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

to hold on
173 3.3

To keep trying and not give up when things are hard

to hold up
163 3.7

To remain strong or effective under pressure

to hold on
141 2.0

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

to hold out
139 3.7

To refuse to give up until you get what you want

to hold up
115 3.4

To support the weight of something so it does not fall

to hold back
108 4.2

Keep yourself from showing feelings or telling others

to hold up
90 2.8

To cause a delay in plans or progress

to hold together
90 3.4

Keep parts or people joined and working as one

to hold up
89 3.7

To show someone as an example to praise or admire

to hold out
89 3.5

To put a hand forward to show or give something

to hold off
78 3.8

To wait before doing something

to hold on
72 1.6

To keep something instead of selling or giving it away

to get hold
  • UK
66 3.2

To contact a person or obtain something you need

to hold in
65 4.5

To stop yourself from showing strong feelings

to hold it together
  • Informal
61 5.6

Stay calm and control your feelings in a difficult situation

to hold off
55 4.0

To stop an opponent from moving forward by keeping your position

to hold fire
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 hold off on
37 4.2

To wait before doing something

to get hold of
36 3.0

To reach someone by phone or message

to take hold
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

to hold to
25 3.5

To stay loyal to a promise, plan or belief

to get hold of
24 2.5

To take something in your hand

to hold in contempt
23 7.8

To feel strong dislike and no respect for someone or something

to hold dear
22 3.5

To care about someone or something very much

to hold down
22 3.2

To keep something low and stop it from getting bigger

to hold that thought
  • Informal
21 6.7

Ask someone to wait before saying more about an idea

to take hold of
21 3.1

Grab something or someone with your hands

to hold down the fort
  • Informal
19 4.5

Take care of a place or job while someone is away

to hold back
17 3.2

Keep something for later use

to hold steady
17 2.9

Keep something or someone in place and still

to hold back
16 3.5

Wait before doing something because you feel unsure

to hold down
15 3.9

To keep a job or position during difficult times

to take hold
15 2.0

To grasp something with your hands

to hold out
15 3.9

To last long enough when supplies or power are low

to hold open
14 3.7

Keep something available while you delay a final decision

to hold the line
14 3.7

To wait on the phone without hanging up

to hold water
12 4.9

To make sense and seem believable when checked

to hold fast
11 5.5

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

to hold one's breath
10 4.1

To stop breathing for a short time or wait anxiously

to hold someone's hand
  • Informal
10 2.8

To comfort and guide someone who feels anxious or unsure

to hold firm
9 4.5

To refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure

to hold sway
9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

to hold down a job
9 3.7

To keep a job for a long time despite problems

to hold up your end
  • Informal
8 5.8

Do your share of the work in a group

to hold the line
8 5.4

To refuse to change a decision or rule under pressure

to get hold of
7 3.4

To feel a strong emotion suddenly that controls you

to hold court
6 7.4

To get people to listen and enjoy what you say

to hold up to
5 4.1

Be as good as people expect

to hold forth
5 7.4

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

to hold with
4 8.3

To agree with an idea or way of doing things

to hold the line
4 5.1

To keep prices or spending at the same level

to hold over one's head
3 7.7

To keep reminding someone of a past mistake to control them

to hold over
3 7.2

To threaten someone with secret information to make them obey

to hold over
1 4.6

To keep something for use or sale after its planned time

to hold a light
1 3.4

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 hold memories
1 3.5

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

to hold close
1 1.4

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

to hold up to scrutiny
1 5.3

To still be correct when people look at it carefully

to hold alcohol
  • Informal
6.8

Can drink alcohol without getting drunk quickly

to hold back one's laughter
3.7

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

to hold one's nerve
  • Informal
5.5

To stay calm and in control during a difficult situation

to hold over someone's head
8.1

To threaten someone with a past mistake to control them

to hold onto someone's dreams
4.8

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

to hold still for
  • Informal
7.5

Allow something unpleasant without complaining

Compounds

taking hold
18 3.9

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

cargo hold
16 3.9

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

hold-up
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

taking hold
3 4.1

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

hand-hold
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

major hold-up
4.1

A big delay that stops or slows progress

hold-down
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 Tolerant

to hold
  • Informal
91 8.4
tipsy
  • Informal
18 4.8

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

The informal use of hold in 'hold your liquor' comes from Old English healdan, meaning 'to contain' or 'keep', so if you can 'hold' your drink your body can 'keep' it without showing effects.