Hold
Means to grasp or hold something. It can also mean to keep or detain someone, so they cannot escape or get away.
There are many collocations for the word hold. Here are some of the most popular.
1. Hold a meeting or an event
Means to have a meeting or an event in a certain location. An organization or a person can hold an event or meeting.
For example the United Nations can hold an event on human trafficking. This just means they’re inviting people to attend an event about human trafficking.
A venue or building can also hold an event or meeting. For example the football stadium can hold an event. Held a meeting is the past tense of this phrase.
- Where do you plan on holding the meeting?
- Do you know which day the meeting was held?
- They held an event last week.
- The conference center down the street will hold the event.
- The boy scouts held an event here last year.
The name of specific event or meeting can also be used in this phrase.
- The hotel will hold our wedding reception.
2. Hold your tongue
Means to stop talking or not talk at all. It can be said when someone is telling another person to be quiet. It can also be said as a warning before the other person starts talking.
This is not the most polite way to tell someone to be quite. If you say hold your tongue to someone, they may not react well.
- Hold your tongue, I don’t want to hear about this anymore.
- I know the two of you aren’t getting along, but please try to hold your tongue when you see her at my event.
3. Hold your nose
Means that something smells. In this case, one can physically hold their nose, and hope that it stops them from being able to smell the offensive odor. It can also be said as a warning that the place that one is about to enter smells.
- That building smells so bad, you may want to hold your nose when you go in there.
- Sorry for the smell, my dog goes to the bathroom here sometimes, hold your nose.
4. Be on hold
Means that someone was talking to you and for a short period of time, they need to leave the conversation, and you need to wait until they come back.
It can also mean that you call a place and have to wait before they even begin talking to you. Often the word be is dropped and the expression is just on hold.
- Hey Mary, I can grab that for you, if you don’t mind being on hold for a few minutes.
- I hate calling that place, I always have to wait on hold for at least 10 minutes before I can speak to someone.
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5. Hold someone responsible
Means that someone is blamed for the result of something. A person can be held responsible for a positive outcome or a negative outcome.
It just means that the result will be seen as their doing. The word “someone” is usually replaced with the person’s name. Hold responsible and held responsible are also said.
- They are definitely going to want to hold someone responsible for the fire.
- The decided to hold Jake responsible for what happened.
- You will be held responsible for how the event goes tonight, whether it’s good or bad.
- Who do you think they’re going to hold responsible?
6. Hold your ground
Means to not back down or stay firm. This can mean to physically not move from a place. It can also mean to not change your position in an argument. Held your ground is the past tense, and is also commonly used. The word “your” can be replaced by any pronoun.
- No matter what happens, I need you to hold your ground.
- Even though the soldiers were outnumbered they help their ground.
- You really held your ground well in the debate.
7. Hold on tight
Refers to not letting go. This is said in the anticipation that not letting go may be difficult, or that holding on will be difficult. It can also be used to say that someone does not let go of their ideas.
- Put your seatbelt on, and hold on tight.
- You really hold on tight to your ideas.
