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Glite Dictionary
to hold close

to hold close

38 1.4
Keep a person or thing tightly against your body
  • phrasal verb
  • /hoʊld kloʊs/
: abrazar
  • After a long day, I like to hold my dog close while watching TV.

Examples

Synonyms

to hug
vsto hold close
468 1.0

To hold someone tightly in your arms to show care

is a broader phrase for firm contact beyond friendly embraces
to cling
vsto hold close
230 2.1

To hold on tightly to someone or something and not let go

is similar but used more for general firm contact rather than needy attachment
to hold tight
vsto hold close
  • Informal
127 2.2

Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe

is similar but used without the safety or support focus
to clutch
vsto hold close
115 3.4

To hold something tightly with the hands or because of strong feeling

is more neutral and refers to firm gripping without emotion
to cling to
vsto hold close
53 3.4

To hold tightly to someone or something because of fear, need, affection

is more neutral, referring to firm contact without emotional dependence
to clasp
vsto hold close
39 2.6

To hold a person or thing tightly with your hands

is identical in meaning and usage for firm arm or hand contact
to draw close
vsto hold close
12 3.2

Pull someone toward yourself to comfort or protect them

focuses on pulling action instead of sustained tight arm contact
to squeeze
vsto hold close
6 1.0

To hold someone tightly in your arms to show affection

is more general, covering firm contact without affectionate intent

Antonyms

to let go
∞ 1.4

To stop holding something or someone so they are free

to unloose grip
6.7

Let go of something you are holding, physically or emotionally

How Tight

to squeeze
369 1.6
clutch
29 3.9
to embrace
95 2.8
to hold close
38 1.4
to hold
∞ 1.0
to cradle
46 4.1

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

hold + close

The meaning 'to hold something or someone firmly and tightly' is directly derivable from combining 'hold' (to take and support) with 'close' (near, snug); in English the pattern 'hold X close' transparently expresses keeping something near and tight. This compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Hold close comes from the simple image of using your arms to hold someone or something close to your chest to keep them safe and not let them go. That's why it means 'to hold something or someone firmly and tightly'.