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win the competition. b) to remain in position, especially in
spite of pressure, weight etc: Can our line hold, or will the
enemy push us back? | I don't think the shelf will hold if we
put anything else on it. c) to remain true; continue to have
effect: What I said yesterday still holds. 6 [T] to keep and not
allow to leave; CONFINE: Police are holding two men in connec-
tion with the jewel robbery. | The terrorists held them
prisoner/held them hostage. 7 [T] a) (of a ship or air-
craft) to continue to follow (a direction): The plane held a
northwesterly course. b) (of a singer) to continue to sing (a
musical note): to hold a high note to HAVE OR KEEP CONTROL
OVER SOMETHING 8 [T] to keep control over; not use: The
general ordered his men to hold their fire. (=not shoot) | We
held our breath in fear. | Hold your tongue! (=Be quiet!) 9 [T]
(especially of an army) to keep or defend against attack: The
French army held the town for three days. | At the election, the
Republicans held this seat, but with a reduced major-
ity. 10 [T] to keep (the interest or attention of (someone)):
His speech held everyone's attention. 11 [T not in progressive
forms] to possess (money, land, or position): He holds a half
share in the business. | She holds the office of chairman. →
see also HOLDER OTHER MEANINGS 12 [T not in progressive forms]
to (be able to) contain; have space for: How much water does
the pan hold? | The cinema holds about 500. | (fig.) Life holds
many surprises. 13 [T not in progressive forms] to have or express
(a belief, opinion etc): She holds strong left-wing views. |
[+that] I hold that this policy is mistaken. | [+obj/+to-v] The court
held him to have (=believed he had) told the truth. | [+obj/+adj]
I hold you responsible for this fiasco. 14 [T] to cause to take
place; make happen: The meeting will be held at the Town
Hall. | to hold an election. 15 [I] also hold the line — to wait
until the person one has telephoned is ready to answer: Ms
Smith's line is engaged – will you hold? FIXED PHRASES 16 be
left holding the baby BrE/the bag AmE to find oneself
responsible for doing something which someone else has
started and left unfinished 17 hold all the cards to have a
very strong advantage 18 hold court often humor to receive
admirers in a group 19 hold good to be or remain true:
This rule holds good at all times and places. 20 hold hands
(with) to hold the hand (of someone else) or the hands (of
each other), especially as a sign of love. Holding hands is
often thought to be typical of young and inexperienced
lovers: He wanted to do a bit more than just holding
hands! 21 Hold it! infml a) Stay like that; don't move! b)
(used when interrupting someone talking) Stop for a
moment! 22 hold one's head high to show pride or confi-
dence in oneself, especially in a difficult situation 23 hold
one's own a) to keep one's (strong) position, even when
attacked b) not to get worse or weaker: 'How is she, doctor?'
'She's holding her own.' 24 hold the fort: to look after
everything while someone is away: When she had to go to
America, her daughter held the fort at home. 25 hold the
road (of a car) to stay in position on the road while moving,
especially in spite of speed, wet weather etc 26 hold water
(usually in questions or negatives) to be or seem true, reasonable, or
believable: His explanation of where he got the money from
just doesn't hold water. 27 Hold your horses! infml Don't
rush too quickly into an action or decision! 28 not hold a
candle to infml to be unable to match someone or something
else in quality, skill etc: In terms of value for money this car
can't hold a candle to the French one. 29 speak now, or
forever hold your peace state your opposition now, or it
will be too late and you will have to remain silent (a phrase
based on part of the Christian marriage service)
PHRASAL VERBS
hold sthg. against sbdy. phr v [T] to allow (something bad
done by someone) to influence one's feelings about (that
person): It's not fair to hold the boy's past bad behaviour
against him. | Don't hold it against him that he's been in
prison.
hold back phr v 1 [T[hold sthg. ⇔ back]] to make (something)
stay in place; prevent from moving, especially in spite of
pressure: They built banks of earth to hold back the rising
flood waters. → see also HOLD¹ 2 [T[hold sthg. ⇔ back]] to
prevent the expression of (feelings, tears etc); control: Jim
was able to hold back his anger and avoid a fight. 3 [T[hold
sbdy. ⇔ back]] to prevent the development of: You could
become a good musician, but your lack of practice is holding
you back. 4 [I] to be slow or unwilling to act, especially
through nervousness or carefulness → compare HOLD
OFF 5 [i;T(= hold sthg. ⇔ back)] to keep (something) secret;
WITHHOLD: You must tell us the whole story: don't hold (any-
thing) back.
hold sthg./sbdy. ⇔ down phr v [T] 1 to keep at a low level:
We must try to hold down the rate of interest. 2 to control or
limit the freedom of; OPPRESS: The people were held down by
a ruthless secret police. 3 hold down a job to manage to stay
in a job for a fairly long period; keep a job: She hasn't
managed to hold down a job for more than a few weeks.
hold forth phr v [(about, on)] usually derog to speak or express
one's opinions at length
hold off phr v 1 [T[hold sbdy./sthg. ⇔ off]] to cause to remain at
a distance; prevent the advance of: We somehow managed to
hold off the enemy's attack. → compare HOLD BACK 2 [T[hold
sthg. ⇔ off]] to delay: [+obj/v-ing] The committee will hold off
their decision/hold off making their decision until Mon-
day. 3 [I] to be delayed; stay away: Do you think the rain will
hold off until after the game?
hold on phr v [I] 1 to wait (often on the telephone); HANG
on (2): Hold on a minute – I'll just get a pen. 2 to continue in
spite of difficulties: Try and hold on until help arrives.
hold onto sbdy./sthg. phr v [T] to keep possession of,
especially in spite of difficulties: She managed to hold onto
her job when several of her colleagues lost theirs
hold out phr v 1 [T[hold out sthg.]] to offer: These plans hold
out the prospect of new jobs for the area. | I don't hold out
much hope that the weather will improve. 2 [I] to continue
to exist; last: How much longer can our supplies hold
out? 3 [I] to continue in spite of difficulties; ENDURE: The
town was surrounded but the people held out until help came.
hold out for sthg. also stick out for sthg. phr v [T] to
demand firmly and wait in order to get: The men are still
holding out for more pay.
hold out on sbdy. phr v [T] infml to refuse to give support,
information etc to; keep something back from: Why didn't
you tell me at once, instead of holding out on me?
hold sthg. over phr v [T often pass.] to move to a later date;
DEFER: The concert was held over until the following week
because of the singer's illness. → see also HOLDOVER
hold to phr v [T] 1 (hold (sbdy.) to sthg.) to (cause to)
follow exactly or remain loyal to: Whatever your argument, I
shall hold to my decision. | We held him to his promise. (=made
him keep it) 2 (hold sbdy. to sthg.) to not allow to do better
than or get more than: We managed to hold the other team to
a draw.
hold together phr v [i;T(= hold sbdy./sthg., ⇔ together)] to (cause
to) remain united: The needs of the children held their
marriage together. | The party has held together in spite of
differences of opinion.
hold sthg./sbdy. ⇔ up phr v [T] 1 [often pass.] delay: The
building of the new road has been held up by bad weather. |
An unofficial strike has held up production. 2 to (try to) rob
by using the threat of violence: The criminals held up the
train/the bank and took all the money. 3 [as, to] to show as
an example: The old man always held up his youngest son as
a model of hard work. → see also HOLDUP
hold with sthg. phr v [T usually in negatives] to approve of; agree
with: She doesn't hold with these modern ideas. | [+v-ing] I
don't hold with letting people smoke in public.
hold² n 1 [U] the act of holding (especially in the phrases
take/get/lose/lay hold of): I got hold of it in both hands and
lifted it onto the table. | He lost hold of the rope and fell. 2 [C]
something which can be held, especially in climbing: Can
you find a hold for your hands? → see also FOOT-
HOLD 3 [S] a) the forceful closing of the hand: He's got a
strong hold. b) [of, on] influence; control: She's got a good
hold of her subject. | trying to keep a hold on (=not lose) his
sanity 4 get hold of a) to find and make use of: I must get
hold of some more writing paper. b) to find someone for a
reason: I'll try to get hold of her and ask her where the books
are. 5 have a hold over to know something which gives
one an influence over (someone) 6 no holds barred not
keeping to any rules or limits: a no holds barred contest 7 on
hold a) waiting to speak or be spoken to on the telephone:
The caller is on hold. | Put him on hold. (=make him wait) b)
delayed; in a state in which no action is taken for a time:
We've put the project on hold for a month.
hold³ n the part of a ship (below DECK) where goods are stored