hold
hold against
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you hold something against someone, you let their actions in the past influence your present attitude towards them and cause you to deal severely or unfairly with them.
Bernstein lost the case, but never held it against Grundy.hold back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P
If you hold back or if something holds you back, you hesitate before you do something because you are not sure whether it is the right thing to do.
The administration had several reasons for holding back...
Melancholy and mistrust of men hold her back.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
To hold someone or something back means to prevent someone from doing something, or to prevent something from happening.
Stagnation in home sales is holding back economic recovery...
Jake wanted to wake up, but sleep held him back.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you hold something back, you keep it in reserve to use later.
Farmers apparently hold back produce in the hope that prices will rise.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you hold something back, you do not include it in the information you are giving about something.
You seem to be holding something back.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you hold back something such as tears or laughter, or if you hold back, you make an effort to stop yourself from showing how you feel.
She kept trying to hold back her tears...
I was close to tears with frustration, but I held back.hold down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] oft with brd-neg, V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you hold down a job or a place in a team, you manage to keep it.
He never could hold down a job...
Constant injury problems had made it tough for him to hold down a regular first team place.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold someone down, you keep them under control and do not allow them to have much freedom or power or many rights.
Everyone thinks there is some vast conspiracy wanting to hold down the younger generation.hold in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you hold in an emotion or feeling, you do not allow yourself to express it, often making it more difficult to deal with.
Depression can be traced to holding in anger...
Go ahead and cry. Don't hold it in.hold off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P -ing, V P
If you hold off doing something, you delay doing it or delay making a decision about it.
The hospital staff held off taking Rosenbaum in for an X-ray...
They have threatened military action but held off until now.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold off a challenge in a race or competition, you do not allow someone to pass you.
Between 1987 and 1990, Steffi Graf largely held off Navratilova's challenge for the crown.hold on
or hold onto
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P to n, V P n, V P
If you hold on, or hold onto something, you keep your hand on it or around it, for example to prevent the thing from falling or to support yourself.
His right arm was extended up beside his head, still holding on to a coffee cup...
He was struggling to hold onto a rock on the face of the cliff...
Despite her aching shoulders, Nancy held on.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you hold on, you manage to achieve success or avoid failure in spite of great difficulties or opposition.
This Government deserved to lose power a year ago. It held on.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you ask someone to hold on, you are asking them to wait for a short time. (SPOKEN)
The manager asked him to hold on while he investigated.
= hang onhold out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold out your hand or something you have in your hand, you move your hand away from your body, for example to shake hands with someone.
`I'm Nancy Drew,' she said, holding out her hand...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P for n, V P
If you hold out for something, you refuse to accept something which you do not think is good enough or large enough, and you continue to demand more.
I should have held out for a better deal...
He can only hold out a few more weeks.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P on n
If you say that someone is holding out on you, you think that they are refusing to give you information that you want. (INFORMAL)
He had always believed that kids could sense it when you held out on them.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you hold out, you manage to resist an enemy or opponent in difficult circumstances and refuse to give in.
One prisoner was still holding out on the roof of the jail.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold out hope of something happening, you hope that in the future something will happen as you want it to.
He still holds out hope that they could be a family again.hold over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you hold something over someone, you use it in order to threaten them or make them do what you want.
Did Laurie know something, and hold it over Felicity?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something is held over, it does not happen or it is not dealt with until a future date.
Further voting might be held over until tomorrow...
We would have held the story over until the next day.hold together
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If you hold a group of people together, you help them to live or work together without arguing, although they may have different aims, attitudes, or interests.
Her 13-year-old daughter is holding the family together...
...the political balance which holds together the government...
The coalition will never hold together for six months.hold up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you hold up your hand or something you have in your hand, you move it upwards into a particular position and keep it there.
She held up her hand stiffly...
Hold it up so that we can see it.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If one thing holds up another, it is placed under the other thing in order to support it and prevent it from falling.
Mills have iron pillars all over the place holding up the roof...
Her legs wouldn't hold her up.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
To hold up a person or process means to make them late or delay them.
Why were you holding everyone up?...
Continuing violence could hold up progress towards reform.
= delay
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If someone holds up a place such as a bank or a shop, they point a weapon at someone there to make them give them money or valuable goods.
A thief ran off with hundreds of pounds yesterday after holding up a petrol station.
= rob
5 [PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P as n, also V n P as n
If you hold up something such as someone's behaviour, you make it known to other people, so that they can criticize or praise it.
He had always been held up as an example to the younger ones.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something such as a type of business holds up in difficult conditions, it stays in a reasonably good state.
Children's wear is one area that is holding up well in the recession.
7 [PHRASAL VERB]
If an argument or theory holds up, it is true or valid, even after close examination.
I'm not sure if the argument holds up, but it's stimulating.
= stand up
8
see also hold-uphold with
[PHRASAL VERB] with brd-neg, V P n
If you do not hold with an activity or action, you do not approve of it.
I don't hold with the way they do things nowadays.♦♦♦ hold1 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING
1 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n
When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms.
Hold the knife at an angle...
He held the pistol in his right hand...
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Hold is also a noun.
He released his hold on the camera.
2 [N-UNCOUNT] N of n
Hold is used in expressions such as grab hold of, catch hold of, and get hold of, to indicate that you close your hand tightly around something, for example to stop something moving or falling.
I was woken up by someone grabbing hold of my sleeping bag...
A doctor and a nurse caught hold of his arms...
3 [VERB] V n adv, also V n
When you hold someone, you put your arms round them, usually because you want to show them how much you like them or because you want to comfort them.
If only he would hold her close to him.
4 [VERB] V n prep, V n with adv, also V n
If you hold someone in a particular position, you use force to keep them in that position and stop them from moving.
He then held the man in an armlock until police arrived...
I'd got two nurses holding me down.
5 [N-COUNT]
A hold is a particular way of keeping someone in a position using your own hands, arms, or legs.
...use of an unauthorized hold on a handcuffed suspect.
6 [VERB] V n
When you hold a part of your body, you put your hand on or against it, often because it hurts.
Soon she was crying bitterly about the pain and was holding her throat.
7 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V-ed, also V n adj
When you hold a part of your body in a particular position, you put it into that position and keep it there.
Hold your hands in front of your face...
He walked at a rapid pace with his back straight and his head held erect.
8 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep
If one thing holds another in a particular position, it keeps it in that position.
...the wooden wedge which held the heavy door open...
They used steel pins to hold everything in place.
9 [VERB] V n
If one thing is used to hold another, it is used to store it.
Two knife racks hold her favourite knives.
= store
10 [N-COUNT] oft n N
In a ship or aeroplane, a hold is a place where cargo or luggage is stored.
A fire had been reported in the cargo hold.
11 [VERB] V n
If a place holds something, it keeps it available for reference or for future use.
The Small Firms Service holds an enormous amount of information on any business problem...
12 [VERB] no cont, V n
If something holds a particular amount of something, it can contain that amount.
One CD-ROM disk can hold over 100,000 pages of text.
13 [VERB] V n adv, also V n
If a vehicle holds the road well, it remains in close contact with the road and can be controlled safely and easily.
I thought the car held the road really well.
14
see also holding♦♦♦ hold2 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) HAVING OR DOING
Hold is often used to indicate that someone or something has the particular thing, characteristic, or attitude that is mentioned. Therefore it takes most of its meaning from the word that follows it.
1 [VERB] no cont, V n, V that, V n in n, V-ed
Hold is used with words and expressions indicating an opinion or belief, to show that someone has a particular opinion or believes that something is true.
He holds certain expectations about the teacher's role...
Current thinking holds that obesity is more a medical than a psychological problem...
The public, meanwhile, hold architects in low esteem.
...a widely held opinion.
2 [VERB] no passive, V n for n, V n
Hold is used with words such as `fear' or `mystery' to indicate someone's feelings towards something, as if those feelings were a characteristic of the thing itself.
Death doesn't hold any fear for me...
It held more mystery than even the darkest jungle...
3 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `office', `power', and `responsibility' to indicate that someone has a particular position of power or authority.
She has never held ministerial office...
4 [VERB] V n, V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `permit', `degree', or `ticket' to indicate that someone has a particular document that allows them to do something.
He did not hold a firearm certificate...
Passengers holding tickets will receive refunds.
5 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `party', `meeting', `talks', `election', and `trial' to indicate that people are organizing a particular activity.
The German sports federation said it would hold an investigation.
● holding [N-UNCOUNT] N of n
They also called for the holding of multi-party general elections.
6 [V-RECIP] V n with n, pl-n V, V n (non-recip)
Hold is used with nouns such as `conversation', `interview', and `talks' to indicate that two or more people meet and discuss something.
The Prime Minister, is holding consultations with his colleagues to finalise the deal...
The engineer and his son held frequent consultations concerning technical problems...
They can't believe you can even hold a conversation.
7 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `shares' and `stock' to indicate that someone owns a particular proportion of a business.
The group said it continues to hold 1,774,687 Vons shares...
see also holding
8 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with words such as `lead' or `advantage' to indicate that someone is winning or doing well in a contest.
He continued to hold a lead in Angola's presidential race...
9 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `attention' or `interest' to indicate that what you do or say keeps someone interested or listening to you.
If you want to hold someone's attention, look them directly in the eye but don't stare...
= keep
10 [VERB] V n adj
If you hold someone responsible, liable, or accountable for something, you will blame them if anything goes wrong.
It's impossible to hold any individual responsible.♦♦♦ hold3 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) CONTROLLING OR REMAINING
1 [VERB] V n, V n n, V-ed
If someone holds you in a place, they keep you there as a prisoner and do not allow you to leave.
The inside of a van was as good a place as any to hold a kidnap victim...
Somebody is holding your wife hostage...
Japan had originally demanded the return of two seamen held on spying charges.
2 [VERB] V n
If people such as an army or a violent crowd hold a place, they control it by using force.
Demonstrators have been holding the square since Sunday.
3 [N-SING] usu N over/on n
If you have a hold over someone, you have power or control over them, for example because you know something about them you can use to threaten them or because you are in a position of authority.
He had ordered his officers to keep an exceptionally firm hold over their men...
4 [VERB] no passive, V n, V
If you ask someone to hold, or to hold the line, when you are answering a telephone call, you are asking them to wait for a short time, for example so that you can find the person they want to speak to.
Could you hold the line and I'll just get my pen...
A telephone operator asked him to hold.
= hold on
5 [VERB] V n
If you hold telephone calls for someone, you do not allow people who phone to speak to that person, but take messages instead.
He tells his secretary to hold his calls.
6 [VERB] V prep/adv/adj, V n with adv, V n prep/adj, V n
If something holds at a particular value or level, or is held there, it is kept at that value or level.
OPEC production is holding at around 21.5 million barrels a day...
The Prime Minister yesterday ruled out Government action to hold down petrol prices...
The final dividend will be held at 20.7p, after an 8 per cent increase.
...provided the pound holds its value against the euro.
7 [VERB] V n
If you hold a sound or musical note, you continue making it.
...a voice which hit and held every note with perfect ease and clarity.
8 [VERB] V n
If you hold something such as a train, a lift, or an elevator, you delay it.
A London Underground spokesman defended the decision to hold the train until police arrived.
9 [VERB] V
If an offer or invitation still holds, it is still available for you to accept.
Does your offer still hold?
10 [VERB] V, V
If a good situation holds, it continues and does not get worse or fail.
Our luck couldn't hold for ever...
Would the weather hold?...
11 [VERB] V
If an argument or theory holds, it is true or valid, even after close examination.
Today, most people think that argument no longer holds...
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Hold up means the same as hold.
Democrats say arguments against the bill won't hold up.
12 [VERB] V
If part of a structure holds, it does not fall or break although there is a lot of force or pressure on it.
How long would the roof hold?
13 [VERB] V
If laws or rules hold, they exist and remain in force.
These laws also hold for universities.
14 [VERB] V to n
If you hold to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, you keep that promise or continue to behave according to those standards. (FORMAL)
Will the President be able to hold to this commitment?...
= stick to
15 [VERB] V n to n
If someone or something holds you to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, they make you keep that promise or those standards.
Don't hold me to that...♦♦♦ hold4 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) PHRASES
Please look at category 13 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR on n
If you hold forth on a subject, you speak confidently and for a long time about it, especially to a group of people.
Barry was holding forth on politics.
2 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get hold of an object or information, you obtain it, usually after some difficulty.
It is hard to get hold of guns in this country.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get hold of a fact or a subject, you learn about it and understand it well. (BRIT INFORMAL)
He first had to get hold of some basic facts.
4 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get hold of someone, you manage to contact them.
The only electrician we could get hold of was miles away.
5 [CONVENTION]
If you say `Hold it', you are telling someone to stop what they are doing and to wait.
Hold it! Don't move!
= stop
6 [PHRASE] PHR after v, v-link PHR
If you put something on hold, you decide not to do it, deal with it, or change it now, but to leave it until later.
He put his retirement on hold until he had found a solution...
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you hold your own, you are able to resist someone who is attacking or opposing you.
The Frenchman held his own against the challenger.
8 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR against n
If you can do something well enough to hold your own, you do not appear foolish when you are compared with someone who is generally thought to be very good at it.
She can hold her own against almost any player.
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you hold still, you do not move.
Can't you hold still for a second?
10 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR of n
If something takes hold, it gains complete control or influence over a person or thing.
She felt a strange excitement taking hold of her...
11 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR prep
If you hold tight, you put your hand round or against something in order to prevent yourself from falling over. A bus driver might say `Hold tight!' to you if you are standing on a bus when it is about to move.
He held tight to the rope...
= hang on
12 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you hold tight, you do not immediately start a course of action that you have been planning or thinking about.
The unions have circulated their branches, urging members to hold tight until a national deal is struck.
13
to hold something at bay: see bay
to hold your breath: see breath
to hold something in check: see check
to hold court: see court
to hold fast: see fast
to hold the fort: see fort
to hold your ground: see ground
to hold your peace: see peace
to hold someone to ransom: see ransom
to hold sway: see sway
to hold your tongue: see tongue
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you hold something against someone, you let their actions in the past influence your present attitude towards them and cause you to deal severely or unfairly with them.
Bernstein lost the case, but never held it against Grundy.hold back
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P
If you hold back or if something holds you back, you hesitate before you do something because you are not sure whether it is the right thing to do.
The administration had several reasons for holding back...
Melancholy and mistrust of men hold her back.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
To hold someone or something back means to prevent someone from doing something, or to prevent something from happening.
Stagnation in home sales is holding back economic recovery...
Jake wanted to wake up, but sleep held him back.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you hold something back, you keep it in reserve to use later.
Farmers apparently hold back produce in the hope that prices will rise.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P
If you hold something back, you do not include it in the information you are giving about something.
You seem to be holding something back.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P
If you hold back something such as tears or laughter, or if you hold back, you make an effort to stop yourself from showing how you feel.
She kept trying to hold back her tears...
I was close to tears with frustration, but I held back.hold down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] oft with brd-neg, V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you hold down a job or a place in a team, you manage to keep it.
He never could hold down a job...
Constant injury problems had made it tough for him to hold down a regular first team place.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold someone down, you keep them under control and do not allow them to have much freedom or power or many rights.
Everyone thinks there is some vast conspiracy wanting to hold down the younger generation.hold in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you hold in an emotion or feeling, you do not allow yourself to express it, often making it more difficult to deal with.
Depression can be traced to holding in anger...
Go ahead and cry. Don't hold it in.hold off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P -ing, V P
If you hold off doing something, you delay doing it or delay making a decision about it.
The hospital staff held off taking Rosenbaum in for an X-ray...
They have threatened military action but held off until now.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold off a challenge in a race or competition, you do not allow someone to pass you.
Between 1987 and 1990, Steffi Graf largely held off Navratilova's challenge for the crown.hold on
or hold onto
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P to n, V P n, V P
If you hold on, or hold onto something, you keep your hand on it or around it, for example to prevent the thing from falling or to support yourself.
His right arm was extended up beside his head, still holding on to a coffee cup...
He was struggling to hold onto a rock on the face of the cliff...
Despite her aching shoulders, Nancy held on.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you hold on, you manage to achieve success or avoid failure in spite of great difficulties or opposition.
This Government deserved to lose power a year ago. It held on.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you ask someone to hold on, you are asking them to wait for a short time. (SPOKEN)
The manager asked him to hold on while he investigated.
= hang onhold out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold out your hand or something you have in your hand, you move your hand away from your body, for example to shake hands with someone.
`I'm Nancy Drew,' she said, holding out her hand...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P for n, V P
If you hold out for something, you refuse to accept something which you do not think is good enough or large enough, and you continue to demand more.
I should have held out for a better deal...
He can only hold out a few more weeks.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P on n
If you say that someone is holding out on you, you think that they are refusing to give you information that you want. (INFORMAL)
He had always believed that kids could sense it when you held out on them.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you hold out, you manage to resist an enemy or opponent in difficult circumstances and refuse to give in.
One prisoner was still holding out on the roof of the jail.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron)
If you hold out hope of something happening, you hope that in the future something will happen as you want it to.
He still holds out hope that they could be a family again.hold over
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you hold something over someone, you use it in order to threaten them or make them do what you want.
Did Laurie know something, and hold it over Felicity?
2 [PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something is held over, it does not happen or it is not dealt with until a future date.
Further voting might be held over until tomorrow...
We would have held the story over until the next day.hold together
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron), V P
If you hold a group of people together, you help them to live or work together without arguing, although they may have different aims, attitudes, or interests.
Her 13-year-old daughter is holding the family together...
...the political balance which holds together the government...
The coalition will never hold together for six months.hold up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you hold up your hand or something you have in your hand, you move it upwards into a particular position and keep it there.
She held up her hand stiffly...
Hold it up so that we can see it.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If one thing holds up another, it is placed under the other thing in order to support it and prevent it from falling.
Mills have iron pillars all over the place holding up the roof...
Her legs wouldn't hold her up.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
To hold up a person or process means to make them late or delay them.
Why were you holding everyone up?...
Continuing violence could hold up progress towards reform.
= delay
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If someone holds up a place such as a bank or a shop, they point a weapon at someone there to make them give them money or valuable goods.
A thief ran off with hundreds of pounds yesterday after holding up a petrol station.
= rob
5 [PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P as n, also V n P as n
If you hold up something such as someone's behaviour, you make it known to other people, so that they can criticize or praise it.
He had always been held up as an example to the younger ones.
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something such as a type of business holds up in difficult conditions, it stays in a reasonably good state.
Children's wear is one area that is holding up well in the recession.
7 [PHRASAL VERB]
If an argument or theory holds up, it is true or valid, even after close examination.
I'm not sure if the argument holds up, but it's stimulating.
= stand up
8
see also hold-uphold with
[PHRASAL VERB] with brd-neg, V P n
If you do not hold with an activity or action, you do not approve of it.
I don't hold with the way they do things nowadays.♦♦♦ hold1 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING
1 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n
When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms.
Hold the knife at an angle...
He held the pistol in his right hand...
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Hold is also a noun.
He released his hold on the camera.
2 [N-UNCOUNT] N of n
Hold is used in expressions such as grab hold of, catch hold of, and get hold of, to indicate that you close your hand tightly around something, for example to stop something moving or falling.
I was woken up by someone grabbing hold of my sleeping bag...
A doctor and a nurse caught hold of his arms...
3 [VERB] V n adv, also V n
When you hold someone, you put your arms round them, usually because you want to show them how much you like them or because you want to comfort them.
If only he would hold her close to him.
4 [VERB] V n prep, V n with adv, also V n
If you hold someone in a particular position, you use force to keep them in that position and stop them from moving.
He then held the man in an armlock until police arrived...
I'd got two nurses holding me down.
5 [N-COUNT]
A hold is a particular way of keeping someone in a position using your own hands, arms, or legs.
...use of an unauthorized hold on a handcuffed suspect.
6 [VERB] V n
When you hold a part of your body, you put your hand on or against it, often because it hurts.
Soon she was crying bitterly about the pain and was holding her throat.
7 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V-ed, also V n adj
When you hold a part of your body in a particular position, you put it into that position and keep it there.
Hold your hands in front of your face...
He walked at a rapid pace with his back straight and his head held erect.
8 [VERB] V n with adv, V n prep
If one thing holds another in a particular position, it keeps it in that position.
...the wooden wedge which held the heavy door open...
They used steel pins to hold everything in place.
9 [VERB] V n
If one thing is used to hold another, it is used to store it.
Two knife racks hold her favourite knives.
= store
10 [N-COUNT] oft n N
In a ship or aeroplane, a hold is a place where cargo or luggage is stored.
A fire had been reported in the cargo hold.
11 [VERB] V n
If a place holds something, it keeps it available for reference or for future use.
The Small Firms Service holds an enormous amount of information on any business problem...
12 [VERB] no cont, V n
If something holds a particular amount of something, it can contain that amount.
One CD-ROM disk can hold over 100,000 pages of text.
13 [VERB] V n adv, also V n
If a vehicle holds the road well, it remains in close contact with the road and can be controlled safely and easily.
I thought the car held the road really well.
14
see also holding♦♦♦ hold2 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) HAVING OR DOING
Hold is often used to indicate that someone or something has the particular thing, characteristic, or attitude that is mentioned. Therefore it takes most of its meaning from the word that follows it.
1 [VERB] no cont, V n, V that, V n in n, V-ed
Hold is used with words and expressions indicating an opinion or belief, to show that someone has a particular opinion or believes that something is true.
He holds certain expectations about the teacher's role...
Current thinking holds that obesity is more a medical than a psychological problem...
The public, meanwhile, hold architects in low esteem.
...a widely held opinion.
2 [VERB] no passive, V n for n, V n
Hold is used with words such as `fear' or `mystery' to indicate someone's feelings towards something, as if those feelings were a characteristic of the thing itself.
Death doesn't hold any fear for me...
It held more mystery than even the darkest jungle...
3 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `office', `power', and `responsibility' to indicate that someone has a particular position of power or authority.
She has never held ministerial office...
4 [VERB] V n, V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `permit', `degree', or `ticket' to indicate that someone has a particular document that allows them to do something.
He did not hold a firearm certificate...
Passengers holding tickets will receive refunds.
5 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `party', `meeting', `talks', `election', and `trial' to indicate that people are organizing a particular activity.
The German sports federation said it would hold an investigation.
● holding [N-UNCOUNT] N of n
They also called for the holding of multi-party general elections.
6 [V-RECIP] V n with n, pl-n V, V n (non-recip)
Hold is used with nouns such as `conversation', `interview', and `talks' to indicate that two or more people meet and discuss something.
The Prime Minister, is holding consultations with his colleagues to finalise the deal...
The engineer and his son held frequent consultations concerning technical problems...
They can't believe you can even hold a conversation.
7 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `shares' and `stock' to indicate that someone owns a particular proportion of a business.
The group said it continues to hold 1,774,687 Vons shares...
see also holding
8 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with words such as `lead' or `advantage' to indicate that someone is winning or doing well in a contest.
He continued to hold a lead in Angola's presidential race...
9 [VERB] V n
Hold is used with nouns such as `attention' or `interest' to indicate that what you do or say keeps someone interested or listening to you.
If you want to hold someone's attention, look them directly in the eye but don't stare...
= keep
10 [VERB] V n adj
If you hold someone responsible, liable, or accountable for something, you will blame them if anything goes wrong.
It's impossible to hold any individual responsible.♦♦♦ hold3 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) CONTROLLING OR REMAINING
1 [VERB] V n, V n n, V-ed
If someone holds you in a place, they keep you there as a prisoner and do not allow you to leave.
The inside of a van was as good a place as any to hold a kidnap victim...
Somebody is holding your wife hostage...
Japan had originally demanded the return of two seamen held on spying charges.
2 [VERB] V n
If people such as an army or a violent crowd hold a place, they control it by using force.
Demonstrators have been holding the square since Sunday.
3 [N-SING] usu N over/on n
If you have a hold over someone, you have power or control over them, for example because you know something about them you can use to threaten them or because you are in a position of authority.
He had ordered his officers to keep an exceptionally firm hold over their men...
4 [VERB] no passive, V n, V
If you ask someone to hold, or to hold the line, when you are answering a telephone call, you are asking them to wait for a short time, for example so that you can find the person they want to speak to.
Could you hold the line and I'll just get my pen...
A telephone operator asked him to hold.
= hold on
5 [VERB] V n
If you hold telephone calls for someone, you do not allow people who phone to speak to that person, but take messages instead.
He tells his secretary to hold his calls.
6 [VERB] V prep/adv/adj, V n with adv, V n prep/adj, V n
If something holds at a particular value or level, or is held there, it is kept at that value or level.
OPEC production is holding at around 21.5 million barrels a day...
The Prime Minister yesterday ruled out Government action to hold down petrol prices...
The final dividend will be held at 20.7p, after an 8 per cent increase.
...provided the pound holds its value against the euro.
7 [VERB] V n
If you hold a sound or musical note, you continue making it.
...a voice which hit and held every note with perfect ease and clarity.
8 [VERB] V n
If you hold something such as a train, a lift, or an elevator, you delay it.
A London Underground spokesman defended the decision to hold the train until police arrived.
9 [VERB] V
If an offer or invitation still holds, it is still available for you to accept.
Does your offer still hold?
10 [VERB] V, V
If a good situation holds, it continues and does not get worse or fail.
Our luck couldn't hold for ever...
Would the weather hold?...
11 [VERB] V
If an argument or theory holds, it is true or valid, even after close examination.
Today, most people think that argument no longer holds...
[PHRASAL VERB] V P
Hold up means the same as hold.
Democrats say arguments against the bill won't hold up.
12 [VERB] V
If part of a structure holds, it does not fall or break although there is a lot of force or pressure on it.
How long would the roof hold?
13 [VERB] V
If laws or rules hold, they exist and remain in force.
These laws also hold for universities.
14 [VERB] V to n
If you hold to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, you keep that promise or continue to behave according to those standards. (FORMAL)
Will the President be able to hold to this commitment?...
= stick to
15 [VERB] V n to n
If someone or something holds you to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, they make you keep that promise or those standards.
Don't hold me to that...♦♦♦ hold4 /h'oʊld/ (hold holds holding held) PHRASES
Please look at category 13 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR on n
If you hold forth on a subject, you speak confidently and for a long time about it, especially to a group of people.
Barry was holding forth on politics.
2 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get hold of an object or information, you obtain it, usually after some difficulty.
It is hard to get hold of guns in this country.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get hold of a fact or a subject, you learn about it and understand it well. (BRIT INFORMAL)
He first had to get hold of some basic facts.
4 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you get hold of someone, you manage to contact them.
The only electrician we could get hold of was miles away.
5 [CONVENTION]
If you say `Hold it', you are telling someone to stop what they are doing and to wait.
Hold it! Don't move!
= stop
6 [PHRASE] PHR after v, v-link PHR
If you put something on hold, you decide not to do it, deal with it, or change it now, but to leave it until later.
He put his retirement on hold until he had found a solution...
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you hold your own, you are able to resist someone who is attacking or opposing you.
The Frenchman held his own against the challenger.
8 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR against n
If you can do something well enough to hold your own, you do not appear foolish when you are compared with someone who is generally thought to be very good at it.
She can hold her own against almost any player.
9 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you hold still, you do not move.
Can't you hold still for a second?
10 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR of n
If something takes hold, it gains complete control or influence over a person or thing.
She felt a strange excitement taking hold of her...
11 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR prep
If you hold tight, you put your hand round or against something in order to prevent yourself from falling over. A bus driver might say `Hold tight!' to you if you are standing on a bus when it is about to move.
He held tight to the rope...
= hang on
12 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you hold tight, you do not immediately start a course of action that you have been planning or thinking about.
The unions have circulated their branches, urging members to hold tight until a national deal is struck.
13
to hold something at bay: see bay
to hold your breath: see breath
to hold something in check: see check
to hold court: see court
to hold fast: see fast
to hold the fort: see fort
to hold your ground: see ground
to hold your peace: see peace
to hold someone to ransom: see ransom
to hold sway: see sway
to hold your tongue: see tongue