English dictionary: words starting with hold

verb

Grasp, carry, or support with one's hands.

Usage examples:

She was holding a brown leather suitcase

noun

An act or manner of grasping something; a grip.

Usage examples:

He caught hold of her arm

collocation

To make someone responsible for what they do and demand a satisfactory reason for it

Usage examples:

It is important to hold schools accountable for the performance of all their students., they want h…

idiom

Refrain from doing

phrasal verb

Hesitate to act or speak.

Usage examples:

He held back, remembering the mistake he had made before

noun

Part of an amount of money that is not paid in a particular situation

Usage examples:

The invoice price does not reflect the holdback, a discount the dealer gets from the manufacturer.,…

phrasal verb

To express your opinions for a long time

Usage examples:

She held forth all through lunch on a variety of subjects.

collocation

If someone holds something in abeyance, they stop it from happening or being used at present

Usage examples:

The criminal charges are held in abeyance until the drug treatment programme is completed., it seem…

phrase

To limit something

Usage examples:

We need to find ways of keeping our expenditure in check., there were no longer enough predators to…

phrase

To feel contempt for someone or something

Usage examples:

I would never hold someone in contempt for making a few mistakes in english., i think history will …

collocation

Hold firmly

phrasal verb

Grasp or support something with one's hands.

Usage examples:

It took all my strength to hold on

phrasal verb

To continue doing something or staying somewhere although it is difficult or unpleasant to do so

Usage examples:

Hold on and i’ll go and get some help.

phrase

Remain silent about something.

Usage examples:

He nodded indulgently at such pertness and obstinacy, but held his peace

idiom

Be sufficiently competent in a certain situation

phrase

Retain a position of strength in a challenging situation.

Usage examples:

Britain has begun to hold its own in world markets

collocation

Wait uncompromisingly for something desirable

phrasal verb

Resist or survive in difficult circumstances.

Usage examples:

The troops held out against constant attacks

phrasal verb

Continue to demand a particular thing, refusing to accept what has been offered.

Usage examples:

He is holding out for a guaranteed 7 per cent rise

phrasal verb

Refuse to give something, typically information, to someone.

Usage examples:

You've been holding out on me

idiom

Hold over goods to be sold for the next season

phrasal verb

Postpone something.

Usage examples:

The usual family gathering was held over until late january

collocation

To make someone responsible for what they do and demand a satisfactory reason for it

Usage examples:

It is important to hold schools accountable for the performance of all their students., they want h…

verb

To take and keep something in your hand or arms

Usage examples:

[ t ] the nurse held the child in her arms., [ i ] hold tight (= firmly) to the railing., [ m ] ros…

idiom

Be master; reign or rule

phrase

Have great power or influence over a particular person, place, or domain.

Usage examples:

They had held sway in france for a quarter of a century

idiom

To have responsibility for something while someone else is absent

Usage examples:

I’m leaving my husband to hold the fort while i’m away.

idiom

Used for telling someone to wait, for example because you are going to say something surprising; sometimes used humorously when something is not surprising at all

Usage examples:

It may sound like a great offer, but hold the phone., it's amazing to actually find a steak that's …

verb

To take and keep something in your hand or arms

Usage examples:

[ t ] the nurse held the child in her arms., [ i ] hold tight (= firmly) to the railing., [ m ] ros…

idiom

To force someone to do something by putting that person in a situation where they have no choice

Usage examples:

He claimed his country was being held to ransom by threats of withdrawing aid.

collocation

Be the physical support of; carry the weight of

phrasal verb

Support and prevent something from falling.

Usage examples:

Concrete pillars hold up the elevated section of the railway

noun

A delay

Usage examples:

Come on, let's go. what's the hold-up?

idiom

To laugh unkindly and publicly at someone or something, or to make someone or something seem stupid

Usage examples:

Her plans were held up to ridicule.

phrasal verb

Approve of something.

Usage examples:

I don't hold with fighting or violence