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hold

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noun

/həʊld/

singular	hold
plural	holds

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1
[singular] the fact that you are holding someone or something
The boat turned over and she lost her hold.
hold on:
His hold on her arm tightened.
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2
[countable] a way of holding someone, for example in a sport
a wrestling hold
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3
[singular] the power or control that someone has over a situation or area
hold on/over:
Their forces had consolidated their hold on the area.
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1. a.
  power that you have over someone, especially because of something that you know about them
  How is it he's got such a strong hold over you?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold
4
[countable] the area in a plane or ship that is used for goods, vehicles, or bags
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5
[countable] a place where you put your foot or hand so that you do not fall, for example when you are climbing
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6
[singular] the fact that someone manages to continue doing or having something
hold on:
The nurses were amazed at her tenacious hold on life.
new threats to his hold on power
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold

phrases

get hold of someone
to manage to talk to someone, on the telephone or directly
Can you get hold of Mike and tell him the meeting's postponed?
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get hold of something
1. 1
  to get something that you need or want
  I've managed to get hold of some rather good wine.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold
2. 2
  to start holding something with your hands
  Here, get hold of this for a minute.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold
get hold of the idea (that)
to start to think that something is true, usually when it is not
Where did you get hold of the idea I was leaving?
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grab/catch hold of
to suddenly start holding someone or something
Bobby grabbed hold of her leg.
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keep hold of something
1. 1
  to not take your hands away from something that you are holding
  She kept hold of his arm.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold
2. 2
  to not lose something, or to not let someone else get it
  They managed to keep hold of the ball in the second half.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold
no holds barred
without any limit on what you are allowed to do
They can say anything they like, no holds barred.
the demand for a no-holds-barred investigation
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on hold
1. 1
  if something is on hold, you have stopped it from happening now, but it may happen later
  put something on hold:
  After the accident her career had to be put on hold.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold
2. 2
  waiting to speak to someone on the telephone, after your call has been answered
  They've put me on hold.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of hold
take hold
to become stronger and difficult to stop
They were fortunate to escape before the fire took hold.
take hold of:
A sense of dread took hold of him.
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take hold of
to start holding someone or something
She took hold of his hand.
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This is the British English definition of hold. View American English definition of hold.

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View the pronunciation for hold.

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hold

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phrases

get hold of someone

get hold of something

get hold of the idea (that)

grab/catch hold of

keep hold of something

no holds barred

on hold

take hold

take hold of

cyberloafing

Word of the Day

higgledy-piggledy

show a bit of ankle