The Hold phrasal verbs is a versatile and commonly used expression in the English language. It is often employed to convey various meanings and actions related to grasping, controlling, or maintaining something. In this context, “hold” typically combines with different prepositions or adverbs to create a wide range of expressions that can relate to physical, emotional, or abstract concepts. Whether you’re talking about physically holding an object, maintaining a particular state, or exerting influence over a situation, the hold phrasal verb plays a crucial role in everyday communication and is essential to understanding and effectively expressing various ideas and actions in English. In this introduction, we will explore some of the common uses and nuances of the “hold” phrasal verb.
- Hold on
- Meaning: To wait or pause for a moment.
- Use: “Hold on a second; I’ll be right back.”
- Hold up
- Meaning: To delay or make something late.
- Use: “Traffic held us up, and we missed the meeting.”
- Hold back
- Meaning: To restrain or keep something or someone from advancing.
- Use: “He couldn’t hold back his tears when he heard the news.”
- Hold down
- Meaning: To keep a job or position, especially when it’s challenging.
- Use: “She managed to hold down two jobs to support her family.”
- Hold off
- Meaning: To delay or postpone something.
- Use: “They decided to hold off on the project until next year.”
- Hold out
- Meaning: To offer or present something, often as an option.
- Use: “We can hold out the possibility of a discount.”
- Hold up
- Meaning: To rob or steal from someone, often using threats or force.
- Use: “The bank was held up by two armed men.”
- Hold to
- Meaning: To maintain or stick to a promise or agreement.
- Use: “You should always hold to your commitments.”
- Hold forth
- Meaning: To speak at length about a topic.
- Use: “He held forth on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”
- Hold out for
- Meaning: To insist on getting or waiting for something better.
- Use: “She decided to hold out for a higher salary offer.”
- Hold in
- Meaning: To control or suppress one’s emotions or feelings.
- Use: “She tried to hold in her laughter during the serious meeting.”
- Hold over
- Meaning: To extend or continue something beyond its original timeframe.
- Use: “The movie was so popular that it was held over for another week.”
- Hold together
- Meaning: To remain unified or intact, especially during challenging times.
- Use: “The team managed to hold together despite the setbacks.”
- Hold off on
- Meaning: To delay or avoid making a decision or taking action.
- Use: “Let’s hold off on buying a new car until we have more information.”
- Hold up as
- Meaning: To present or regard someone or something as an example or model.
- Use: “She was held up as a role model for her achievements.”
Remember that the meanings and uses of phrasal verbs can vary depending on the context, so it’s essential to consider the specific situation in which they are used. Phrasal verbs like “hold” are an integral part of English language learning, and understanding their various nuances can greatly improve your language skills.