hold the line
To keep a situation or trouble from getting worse; hold steady; prevent a setback or loss.
The mayor held the line on taxes.
The company held the line on employment.
hold the stage
To continue to be produced and to attract audiences.
"Peter Pan" holds the stage year after year at its annual Christmas showing in London.
To be active in a group; attract attention.
We had only an hour to discuss the question and Mr. Jones held the stage for most of it.
Jane likes to hold the stage at any party or meeting, so she does and says anything.
hold true
hold good
To remain true.
It has always held true that man cannot live without laws.
Bob is a good boy and that holds true of Jim.
hold up
To raise; lift.
John held up his hand.
To support; hear; carry.
The chair was too weak to hold up Mrs. Smith.
To show; call attention to; exhibit.
The teacher held up excellent models of composition for her class to imitate.
To check; stop; delay.
Задерживаться.
The wreck held up traffic on the railroad's main line tracks.
What’s the hold up? Why are we waiting?
Из-за чего задержка? Почему мы ждем?
A big accident held up traffic on the highway for several hours.
To rob at gunpoint.
Masked men held up the bank.
To keep one's courage or spirits up; remain calm; keep control of oneself.
The grieving mother held up for her children's sake.
To remain good; not get worse.
Sales held up well.
Our team's luck held up and they won the game.
The weather held up and the game was played.
Deidre is amazed at how well her car has held up over the years.
To prove true.
The police were doubtful at first, but Tony's story held up.
To delay action; defer; postpone. Often used with "on".
The college held up on plans for the building until more money came in.
The President held up on the news until he was sure of it.
hold water
To keep water without leaking.
That pail still holds water.
To prove true; stand testing; bear examination. Usually used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences.
Ernest told the police a story that wouldn't hold water.
holdout
A rebel who refuses to go with the majority.
Sam was a lone holdout in town; he refused to sell his old lakefront cottage to make place for a skyscraper.
holdover
A successful movie or theater production that plays longer than originally planned.
Because of its great popularity. Star Wars was a holdover in most movie theaters.
A reservation not used at the lime intended, but used later.
They kept my seat at the opera as a holdover because I am a patron.
holdup
Robbery.
John fell victim to a highway holdup.
A delay, as on a crowded highway.
Boy we're late! What's causing this holdup?