The word ‘hold‘ can mean many different things. As a verb, the meaning is to keep or grasp in your hands.
For example:
- He is being held on suspicion of murder. (keep)
- Kian can hold the shopping bags. (grasp)
Hold is an irregular verb. The past tense is held and the past participle is held.
phrasal verbs with hold
Phrasal verbs with ‘hold’ include:
- hold back
meaning – stop something from happening
example – The suspect held back some vital information when being questioned over the murder. - hold down
meaning – keep a job or prevent someone/something from moving
example – My cousin has held down a job for 6 months since leaving prison. - hold off
meaning – no bad weather or stop someone attacking/beating you
example – Rangers held off the challengers and kept the title. - hold on
meaning – wait or hold something tightly
example – Hold on! I need to check I’ve turned the oven off before we leave. - hold on to
meaning – keep, look after, don’t lose
example – Can you hold on to my car keys for me? The pockets aren’t deep enough in these shorts. - hold out
meaning – hold something in front of you
example – The beggar held out a cup and asked people for money. - hold out for
meaning – wait for something better
example – I’ve held out for long enough. I don’t think I’m going to find my Prince Charming. - hold together
meaning – keep intact
example – I just about held it together at the funeral, it was so upsetting. - hold up
meaning – a delay or rob a place using violence
example – I’ll be a little late for the meeting, I’ve been held up at home.
picture phrasal verbs with hold
Let’s learn the meaning of the phrasal verbs that contain the verb ‘hold’ in more detail and see some examples in use.
