What does "hold" mean?
"Hold" is a verb that can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It can mean to have or keep in one's grasp, to support or bear the weight of something, to have control or power over something or someone, to delay or postpone something, to believe or accept something as true, among other things.
When can "hold" not be held?
When used in the context of "not being able to hold," it means that something is difficult or impossible to control, manage, or contain. Here are some examples:
- A person who is laughing uncontrollably may not be able to hold back their laughter.
- A dam that is overflowing may not be able to hold the excess water.
- A team that is losing badly in a game may not be able to hold their opponents.
Expressions with "hold"
Aside from its literal and figurative meanings, "hold" is also used in a number of expressions that have their own unique meanings. Here are some examples:
- Hold on - to wait or pause for a moment
- Hold up - to delay or hinder something or someone
- Hold off - to postpone or delay something until a later time
- Hold back - to restrain or prevent someone or something from moving forward or progressing
- Hold down - to keep something or someone under control or in check
- Hold tight - to hold on tightly to something or someone
- Hold your horses - to wait or be patient before taking action or making a decision
Phrasal verbs with "hold"
Another way that "hold" is commonly used is in phrasal verbs, which are combinations of a verb and one or more particles that have a different meaning than the original verb. Here are some examples of phrasal verbs with "hold":
- Hold on to - to keep or retain something, often tightly
- Hold out - to resist or endure something, often for a long time
- Hold up - to rob or steal from someone, often at gunpoint
- Hold over - to extend or continue something beyond its original time or date
- Hold in - to keep one's emotions or feelings under control or hidden
- Hold off on - to delay or postpone something until a later time
In conclusion, "hold" is a versatile verb that can have many different meanings depending on the context. Whether used literally or figuratively, in expressions or phrasal verbs, it is a common and important word in the English language.