hold all the trumps
To have the best chance of winning; have all the advantages; have full control.
Most of the team wants John for captain and he is the best player. He will he elected captain because he holds all the trumps.
Freddy has a quarter and I have no money, so he holds all the trumps and can buy whatever he wants with it.
hold back
To stay back or away; show unwillingness.
The visitor tried to gel the child to come to her, but he held back.
John held back from social activity because he felt embarrassed with people.
To keep someone in place; prevent from acting.
The police held back the crowd.
hold court
To hold a formal meeting of a royal court or a court of law.
Judge Stephens allowed no foolishness when he held court.
To act like a king or queen among subjects.
Even at sixteen, Judy was holding court for numbers of charmed boys.
hold down
To keep in obedience; keep control of; continue authority or rule over.
Kings used to know very well how to hold down the people.
To work satisfactorily at.
John had held down a tough job for a long time.
hold forth
To offer; propose.
As a candidate, Jones held forth the promise of a bright future.
To speak in public; preach. Usually used with little respect.
Senator Smith was holding forth on free trade.
hold good
To continue to be good; last.
The coupon on the cereal box offered a free toy, but the offer held good only till the end of the year.
Attendance at the basketball games held good all winter.
To continue; endure; last.
The demand for new houses held good all that year.
The agreement between the schools held good for three years.
hold it
hold everything
To stop something one is doing or getting ready to do. Usually used as a command.
The pilot was starting to take off, when the control tower ordered "Hold it!"
hold off
To refuse to let (someone) become friendly.
The president's high rank and chilly manner held people off.
To be rather shy or unfriendly.
Perkins was a scholarly man who held off from people.
To keep away by fighting; oppose by force.
The man locked himself in the house and held off the police for an hour.
To wait before (doing something); postpone; delay.
Jack held off paying for the television set until the dealer fixed it.
Mr. Smith held off from building while interest rates were high.
If the rain holds off for a few more days, they can finish planting the rest of the crop.
The judge agreed to hold off making a decision until new evidence could be introduced into court.