light a fire under someone—(also: build a fire under someone) do smth. to motivate or stimulate a person: I want to light a fire under them and push them to places they never thought they could go. I want to help them reach their full potential. hold something in • keep something in hold something in —1. (of an animal) control or restrain: Your horse is trying to go too fast; you must hold him in . 2. control one’s emotions: It was impossible for the children to hold in their laughter any longer. keep something in —1. retain smth. as part of a writing, per- formance, etc.: But that’s the best joke in the play, let’s keep it in ! 2. = hold something in 2: Jim was able to keep his anger in and avoid a fight. 3. keep a supply of smth.: I always keep some good wine in for unexpected guests. hold something in contempt • hold something up to contempt hold something in contempt—look down upon smth.; despise smth.: One of the worst things I could imagine was slavery and I had always held it in contempt . hold something up to contempt—cause smth. to be the object of contempt: He held up to contempt all that was mediocre in their art. hold something in hand • hold something in the hand hold something in hand —1. keep smth. with the hand: Carter turned back and waved the chart he was holding in hand . 2. have smth. at one’s disposal; keep smth. in reserve: Father has decided to hold £500 in hand in case of a business emergency. hold something in the hand— = hold something in hand 1: “Where did that rose come from?” James inspected the rose he was holding in the hand . hold something on • keep something on hold something on—secure smth.; keep smth. in position: This big screw holds the lid of the box on . keep something on—1. continue to possess smth.: We are still keeping on the house in France. 2. continue to wear or use smth.: In a church men take their hats off; in a synagogue, they keep them on . 3. = hold something on: There is a spring underneath so use a finger to keep the lid on while you remove the last screw. hold something out on someone • hold something out to someone hold something out on someone—keep a secret or news from a person: What’s going on? Are you holding something out on me? hold something out to someone—offer smth. to a person: I held out an offer of immunity to prosecution to her, but she would not cooperate. hold something up • keep something up hold something up—1. support smth. physically; bear the weight of smth.: We couldn’t hold up the fence, and it finally fell over. 2. (of prices, etc.) cause to remain high: Efforts were made to hold up the price by again cutting production. 3. stop or delay smth.; make smth. late: A heavy storm in Boston held up our plane. 4. stop a car, etc. in order to rob: The thieves held up a van carrying a factory payroll. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase uphold something—1. (of a law, etc.) support and maintain smth.: We will loyally uphold the principles of the United Nations. 2. (of a verdict, decision, etc.) confirm or endorse: His court conviction was upheld on appeal. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase hold up on something—delay doing smth.: I have to hold up on my reading because I broke my glasses. keep something up—1. = hold something up 1: My husband lost so much weight that he has to wear a belt to keep his trousers up . 2. = hold something up 2: Since it is “back-to- school” time, I expect lots of students are buying laptops, and are keeping the prices up . 3. keep smth. in good condition; maintain smth.: How do you keep up a house as large as this without help? 4. continue smth.: Jane will have to keep up her piano practice if she wants to be a professional performer. hold the field • keep the field hold the field —1. keep one’s position against attack; remain undefeated: American troops held the field but it was not a clear-cut victory. 2. be not superseded or displaced: Petroleum spirit still holds the field as a propelling force, both in the cars exhibited here and in those seen in London streets. keep the field —(dated) keep the military campaign open; continue the fight: Hence the name [campaign] … was also applied, now to the season or time during which the army kept the field . hold the line against someone • hold the line at someone hold the line against someone—take a firm opposing stand with regard to smb.: You’ve been holding the line against those who have sought to legislate the Second Amendment into oblivion. hold the line at someone—preclude a person from being invited or admitted to a place: The Browns and the Smiths could be invited, but I think we ought to hold the line at the Browns. hold up • keep up hold up—1. (of a structure, etc.) stay erect; remain in good condition: This building holds up well despite its age. 2. (of weather, supplies, etc.) continue; last: Will the water supply hold up through the summer? 3. remain in control of oneself: How does he hold up under such a responsibility? keep up —1. not drown: The sailors managed to keep up for several hours and were eventually picked up by a lifeboat. 2. (of spirits, morale, etc.) remain high: His courage kept up in the face of danger. 3. = hold up 2: Do you think this fine weather will keep up for a couple of weeks? 4. stay in touch: I’m afraid we haven’t kept up at all since she went abroad. 5. = hold up 3: But for her courage, I never could have kept up through all this terrible trial. 6. not fall behind: If the children can keep up , we will take them with us when we hike into town. hold with something • keep with something hold with something— approve of or support smth.: I do not hold with heavy drinking and wild parties. keep with something —remain or stay with smth.: Keep with the convoy during the whole voyage. holy cow • sacred cow holy cow—(exclam.) is used to express strong feelings of astonishment, pleasure, or anger: “Holy cow !” Tod roared. “Will I ever forget the look on the McGloys’ faces…” sacred cow —said of smth. so cherished that it is regarded as above criticism: Tories regard interest and profit as sacred cows to be fattened at the expense of the people. Holy Joe • Holy Willie Holy Joe—(Nautical) a parson; a devoutly religious person: They all have these Holy Joe voices when they start giving their sermons. Holy Willie—a hypocritically pious person: The Holy – 179 – Holy Joe