19 English Phrasal Verbs With 'HOLD'

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19 phrasal verbs with 'HOLD'

Hold against

1. Have a grudge against someone, or little respect
   (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
   
   » Example: He was very rude, but I won't HOLD it AGAINST him.

Hold back

1. Not show emotion
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: It was really hard to HOLD BACK the tears.
2. Prevent something moving forwards or progressing
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: Lack of funding HELD the project BACK.
3. Not disclose information or make it public
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The government HELD BACK the findings of the report for fear of alienating voters.

Hold back from

1. Not allow yourself to do something
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: I had to HOLD BACK FROM losing my temper with them.

Hold down

1. Keep a job
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: He's so unreliable that he can never HOLD DOWN a job for more than a couple of months.
2. Stop someone or something from moving
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: It took four of us to HOLD him DOWN and stop the fight.

Hold forth

1. State your opinions about something, especially when talking for a long time and boringly
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The manager HELD FORTH on the topic for about twenty minutes.

Hold off

1. When bad weather doesn't appear
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The rain HELD OFF until we'd got back home.
2. Stop someone from attacking or beating you
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: Chelsea couldn't HOLD their opponents OFF and lost the game.
3. Delay, postpone
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: They want an answer this week, but she may HOLD OFF for a bit longer

Hold off on

1. Delay
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The government has been HOLDING OFF ON electoral reform for ages.

Hold on

1. Wait
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: Could you HOLD ON for a minute; she'll be free in a moment.
2. To hold tightly
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: We HELD ON as the bus started to move.

Hold on to

1. Hold tightly
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: I HELD ON TO my luggage while I was waiting fr the taxi so that it didn't get stolen.

Hold onto

1. Keep as long as possible
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: It tried to HOLD ONTO my cash during the holiday so I could buy some duty free stuff on the way back.
2. Hold tightly
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The mother HELD ONTO her daughter's hand to keep together in the crowd.

Hold out

1. Resist
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: When the enemy attacked, they HELD OUT for six weeks.
2. Hold in front of you
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: I HELD OUT my hand when she walked in.

Hold out against

1. Try to reject
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The staff are HOLDING OUT AGAINST the plans to reduce the workforce.

Hold out for

1. Wait for something better or refuse something now for something better in the future
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: We are HOLDING OUT FOR a much better deal than the one offered.

Hold out on

1. Not pay someone or give them information
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: He's been HOLDING OUT ON me for weeks and I really need the money.

Hold over

1. Delay
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The meeting has been HELD OVER till Friday.
2. To continue something for longer than planned
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: It has been so successful that they have HELD it OVER for another fortnight.

Hold to

1. Oblige or force someone to carry out an obligation
   (Separable [obligatory] | International English)
   
   » Example: They're HOLDING us TO all the terms of the contract.

Hold together

1. Not break up
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The society managed to HOLD TOGETHER despite the crisis.

Hold up

1. Delay when travelling
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: I was HELD UP by the terrible traffic and arrived half an hour late for my appointment.
2. Rob with violence or threats thereof
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: Two armed men HELD UP the bank in High Street this morning and got away with £75,000.

Hold with

1. Accept (usually negative)
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: I don't HOLD WITH their plans.

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