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.
hold on to
hold to
To continue to hold or keep; hold tightly.
When Jane played horse with her father, she held on to him tightly.
The teacher said that if we believed something was true and good we should hold on to it.
The old man held on to his job stubbornly and would not retire.
To stay in control of.
Ann was so frightened that she had to hold on to herself not to scream.
To continue to sing or sound.
The singer held on to the last note of the song for a long time.
hold on
To keep holding tightly; continue to hold strongly; to grasp tightly or firmly.
As Ted was pulling on the rope, it began to slip and Earl cried, "Hold on, Ted!"
The little girl held on to her mother’s hand and refused to let go as they walked through the large crowd of people.
To wait and not hang up a telephone; keep a phone for later use.
Mr. Jones asked me to hold on while he spoke to his secretary.
(on the telephone) Could you please hold on a moment while I get a pencil and paper?
To keep on with a business or job in spite of difficulties.
It was hard to keep the store going during the depression, but Max held on and at last met with success.
To wait a minute; stop. Usually used as a command.
Ждать недолгое время, приостановиться. Обычно используется в повелительном наклонении.
"Hold on!" John's father said, "I want the car tonight."
I’m busy. Hold on a minute, please.
Я занят. Подожди минутку, пожалуйста.
Come on, Mike, hold on. I can’t get ready so quickly.
hold one's breath
To stop breathing for a moment when you are excited or nervous.
The race was so close that everyone was holding his breath at the finish.
To endure great nervousness, anxiety, or excitement.
John held his breath for days before he got word that the college he chose had accepted him.