Phrasal Verbs with “Hold”

Here’s the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “hold.”

“Hold against” Meaning and Examples

To be angry with someone for something that happened in the past. 

Example

Mary is still holding his lies against him. I don’t think she will forgive him.

Mary is still angry with him for his lies. I don’t think she will forgive him. 

“Hold back” Meaning and Examples

Hold back – Meaning 1

To intercept something or someone, to stop something or someone from doing something, 

to stop someone from reaching a goal, to affect someone, to stop development.

Example

Josh was really mad at the bar. We had to hold him back so that he would not start a fight.

Josh was really mad at the bar. We had to stop him so that he would not start a fight. 

She has real potential, but her boyfriend keeps holding her back. She should leave him.

She has real potential, but her boyfriend keeps stopping her. She should leave him. 

My economic situation is holding me back. I cannot do the things I would like.

My economic situation is affecting me. I cannot do the things I would like. 

Hold back – Meaning 2

To not say something, to hesitate to express what you want to say, to decide not to say anything.

Example

John was about to answer rudely, but he held back. He preferred to remain silent. 

John was about to answer rudely, but he decided not to say anything. He preferred to remain silent. 

Hold back – Meaning 3

To contain your feelings or thoughts, to not express what you feel or think. 

Example

She could barely hold back her tears when she heard the news about the accident.

She could barely contain her tears when she heard the news about the accident. 

Hold back – Meaning 4

To prevent someone from having something, to stop someone from having something, to not allow someone to have something. 

Example

The bank held back my funds until I provide some papers. They are so annoying.

The bank didn’t allow me to have my funds until I provide some papers. They are so annoying. 

“Hold down” Meaning and Examples

Hold down – Meaning 1

To keep someone on the floor, to stop someone from standing up, to put something on top of something else to prevent it from standing or rising, to stop any rise in general terms.

Example

The policemen held the criminal down and handcuffed him.

The policemen kept the criminal on the floor and handcuffed him. 

They are trying to hold down their expenses. They are spending less on takeout.

They are trying to stop their expense from rising. They are spending less on takeout. 

Hold down – Meaning 2

To stop or prevent someone from developing.

Example

She didn’t let anything hold her down and now she is the CEO of the company.

She didn’t let anything stop her and now she is the CEO of the company.

Hold down – Meaning 3

To oppress someone.

Example

The government is holding the people down. They are even violating human rights.

The government is oppressing the people. They are even violating human rights. 

Hold down – Meaning 4

To keep a job.

Example

To hold down a job you need to work hard and deliver great results.

To keep a job you need to work hard and deliver great results. 

“Hold forth” Meaning and Examples

Hold forth – Meaning 1

To talk a lot about a topic.

Example

In the middle of the party, Jake started holding forth on politics. Everybody got bored.

In the middle of the party, Jake started talking a lot about politics. Everybody got bored.

Hold forth – Meaning 2

To hold something in front of you.

Example

The secretary held forth the file when the manager asked her about it.

The secretary held the file in front of her when the manager asked her about it.

“Hold in” Meaning and examples

To keep things such as feelings inside and not show them.

Example

I could see her trying to hold in her sadness. She was not okay.

I could see her trying to keep her sadness inside. She was not okay.

“Hold off” Meaning and Examples

Hold off – Meaning 1

To delay doing something.

Example

The government is holding off the decision of another confinement until they have more information.

The government is delaying the decision of another confinement until they have more information.

Hold off – Meaning 2

To stop something from happening, to stop or delay someone who is chasing you.

Example

You go! I will hold them off so that you can escape!

You go! I will delay them so that you can escape!

They are trying to hold off email voting. They say it is not trustworthy.

They are trying to stop email voting from happening.  They say it is not trustworthy.

“Hold on” Meaning and Examples

Hold on – Meaning 1

To wait, to stop and listen.

Example

Can we go now? I don’t want to keep holding on for her. She won’t come.

Can we go now? I don’t want to keep waiting for her. She won’t come.

Hold on! We should not go there. It is dangerous.

Stop! We should not go there. It is dangerous.

Hold on – Meaning 2

To continue dealing with something difficult, to resist.

Example

I know this is a difficult time, but you need to hold on. Things will get better.

I know this is a difficult time, but you need to resist. Things will get better. 

Hold on – Meaning 3

To hold something tightly.

Example

Hold on to something! We are about to crash!

Hold something tightly! We are about to crash!

“Hold out” Meaning and Examples

Hold out – Meaning 1

To hold something close enough so that somebody can reach it.

Example

He held out his glass when she offered more wine.

He held his glass close to her when she offered more wine. 

Hold out – Meaning 2

To resist, to continue to be enough.

Example

I’m not sure I can hold out much more. I am already tired of running.

I’m not sure I can resist much more. I am already tired of running. 

“Hold over” Meaning and Examples

To postpone.

Example

The meeting was held over until this afternoon. The room was not ready.

The meeting was postponed until this afternoon. The room was not ready.

“Hold to” Meaning and Examples

To stick to a contract, promise, or believe.

Example

Both parts were held to the clauses of the agreement. They had to comply.

Both parts had to stick to the clauses of the agreement. They had to comply.

“Hold together” Meaning and Examples

To stay together.

Example

If we want to do well in the exam we have to hold together. Stop fighting.

If we want to do well in the exam we have to stay together. Stop fighting. 

“Hold up” Meaning and Examples

Hold up – Meaning 1

To hold something in a high position, to raise.

Example

Let’s hold up our glasses and toast for a successful year!

Let’s raise our glasses and toast for a successful year!

Hold up – Meaning 2

To help something or someone not fall, to support something or someone, to be strong enough to support something or someone.

Example

After the match, she was so tired I had to hold her up.

After the match, she was so tired I had to help her not fall.

The earthquake affected the building. I don’t think the columns can hold it up much longer.

The earthquake affected the building. I don’t think the columns are strong enough to support it much longer.

Hold up – Meaning 3

To cause a delay, to be delayed.

Example

Jenny could not arrive at the party because she was held up at the office.

Jenny could not arrive at the party because she was delayed at the office.

Hold up – Meaning 4

To steal using a weapon.

Example

I saw in the news that a raider had held up the cinema. He took all the popcorn and the money.

I  saw in the news that a raider had stolen the cinema using a weapon. He took all the popcorn and the money.