have it in for
hold a grudge against
To wish or mean to harm; have a bitter feeling against.
George has it in for Bob because Bob told the teacher that George cheated in the examination.
After John beat Ted in a fight, Ted always had it in for John.
Martina expects to lose her job because her boss has had it in for her for a long time.
The teacher has held a grudge against Al ever since the time that he insulted her in front of the class.
have the whip over
hold the whip over
To control; dominate.
Eugene has always held the whip over his younger brothers and sisters.
heart of gold
A kind, generous, or forgiving nature.
Золотое сердце
John has a heart of gold. I never saw him angry at anyone.
Mrs. Brown is a rich woman with a heart of gold.
My grandmother has a heart of gold and she is always willing to help a stranger.
У моей бабушки золотое сердце и она всегда готова помочь незнакомцу.
hold a brief for
To argue in support of; defend. Usually used with a negative.
I hold no brief for John, but I do not think he was responsible for the accident.
The lawyer said he held no brief for thievery, but he considered the man should he given another chance.
hold a candle to
hold a stick to
To be fit to be compared with; be in the same class with. A trite phrase used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences.
Henry thought that no modern ball club could hold a candle to those of 50 years ago.
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.