Unit 19: Hold

hold sth up

To lift or carry something in the air, or to delay something.

Example: Can you hold up that box for me?

hold up (bear up)

To stay strong or continue during a difficult situation. Similar to “get over” or “pull through”.

Example: He held up well after the accident.

hold sb up

To delay someone, or to rob someone.

Example: Sorry I am late, the traffic held me up.

hold up one’s end of a deal / bargain

To do what you promised in an agreement.

Example: She held up her end of the bargain and finished the work on time.

hold sb back

To stop someone from moving or from doing something.

Example: The police held him back from the crowd.

hold sth back

To not tell something or to keep something secret.

Example: Don’t hold back your ideas in the meeting.

hold yourself back

To stop yourself from doing something.

Example: She held herself back from speaking loudly.

hold forth

To talk for a long time about something, sometimes boringly.

Example: He held forth about his holiday for an hour.

hold sth in

To stop yourself from showing your feelings.

Example: He held in his anger and stayed calm.

hold sth against sb

To be angry at someone for something they did.

Example: I won’t hold it against you if you made a mistake.

hold sb or sth off

To stop someone or something from attacking or reaching you.

Example: The soldiers held the enemy off until help arrived.

hold out

To last or continue for a period of time; also to wait for something you want.

Example: The food will hold out until the guests arrive.

hold down a job

To keep a job for a long time.

Example: She has held down a job at the school for five years.

Example 1: Traffic held me up this morning, so I was late for class.

Explanation: “Held me up” = delayed me.

Example 2: She tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.

Explanation: “Hold back” = stop yourself from showing emotion.

Example 3: We must hold out for better results before we decide.

Explanation: “Hold out” = wait for something better.