hold

To keep something in your hand or arms.

• Hold my hand.
• She held the baby in her arms.
• He was holding a cup of tea.

Similar words: grip, grasp

Opposites: release, drop

Common phrases: hold a pen, hold someone’s hand, hold a baby, hold a pencil

To keep someone or something in a place and prevent movement or escape.

• Hold the ladder steady.
• A heavy stone held the door open.
• Police held him at the station overnight.

How to use it: hold someone/something + adjective (Hold the camera steady.); hold someone/something in place (These clips hold the sheet in place.)

Similar words: keep, secure, restrain

Opposites: release

Common phrases: hold something still, hold in place, hold someone back

To consider someone responsible for something and expect them to answer for it.

• They hold him responsible for the mistake.
• Managers must be held accountable for their decisions.
• Can the company be held liable for these injuries?

How to use it: hold someone responsible/accountable/liable for something (We hold the driver responsible for the damage.)

Similar words: blame

Common phrases: hold someone responsible, hold someone accountable, hold someone liable

To keep someone somewhere and refuse to let them leave.

• They held him prisoner for a week.
• Two workers are being held hostage.
• The soldiers held their captives in an empty house.

How to use it: hold someone hostage/prisoner/captive (The gunmen held three people hostage.)

Similar words: detain, imprison, confine

Opposites: release, free

Common phrases: hold someone hostage, hold someone prisoner, hold someone captive

To be true or continue to apply in a situation.

• The rule still holds true.
• Does this theory hold for all cases?
• Their earlier promise no longer holds good.

How to use it: hold true/good for someone/something (This rule holds true for most children.); hold for something (The same principle holds for larger groups.)

Similar words: apply, remain valid

Common phrases: hold true, hold good, hold for something

The way you keep something firmly in your hand or arms.

• Keep a tight hold on the rope.
• He lost his hold and fell.
• She got hold of the handle with both hands.

How to use it: a hold on someone/something (Keep a firm hold on the rope.); get/take hold of someone/something (She took hold of my arm.)

Similar words: grip, grasp

Common phrases: firm hold, tight hold, hold on something

An act or short period of carrying something or someone in your arms or hands.

• Can I have a hold of the baby?
• She offered me a hold of her puppy.
• He had a quick hold of his newborn daughter.

How to use it: have a hold of someone/something (Can I have a hold of the baby?)

Common phrases: have a hold, hold of someone