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hold on. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
hold on, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
hold on in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
hold on you have here. The definition of the word
hold on will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
hold on, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Verb
hold on (third-person singular simple present holds on, present participle holding on, simple past and past participle held on)
- To grasp or grip firmly.
Hold on tightly to the railing.
- (idiomatic) To keep; to store something for someone.
Hold on to my umbrella while I ride the roller coaster.
- (idiomatic) To retain an advantage.
I'm holding on to my trump cards until I really need them.
- (idiomatic) Wait a short while.
Hold on while I get my coat.
1921, Ben Travers, chapter 5, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:The departure was not unduly prolonged. In the road Mr. Love and the driver favoured the company with a brief chanty running. “Got it?—No, I ain't, 'old on,—Got it? Got it?—No, 'old on sir.”
- (idiomatic) To remain loyal.
He didn't give up his fandom when others did; he held on.
- (idiomatic) To persist.
2010 December 29, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0-1 Wolverhampton”, in BBC:That scare aside, Wolves had little trouble in holding on for their first league away win of the season and their first over the Reds since little-known striker Steve Mardenborough gave them a victory at Anfield in January 1984.
Usage notes
The phrasal verb hold on is intransitive, but the phrasal verb hold on to is transitive.
Synonyms
Translations
to keep; to store something for someone
Anagrams