Idioms for hold

Origin of hold

1
before 900; Middle English holden, Old English h(e)aldan; cognate with Old Frisian, Old Norse halda, Old Saxon, Gothic haldan, Old High German haltan (German halten)

synonym study for hold

8. See have. 9. See contain. 11. See maintain.

OTHER WORDS FROM hold

hold·a·ble, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for hold up (1 of 2)

hold 1
/ (həʊld) /

verb holds, holding or held (hɛld)

noun

Derived forms of hold

holdable, adjective

Word Origin for hold

Old English healdan; related to Old Norse halla, Gothic haldan, German halten

British Dictionary definitions for hold up (2 of 2)

hold 2
/ (həʊld) /

noun

the space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo

Word Origin for hold

C16: variant of hole

Idioms and Phrases with hold up (1 of 2)

hold up

1

Offer or present as an example, as in The teacher held Bernie's essay up as a model for the class to follow. [c. 1600]

2

Obstruct or delay, as in We were held up in traffic. [c. 1900]

3

Rob, as in He was held up in a dark alley, with no help nearby. This usage, which gave rise to the noun holdup for a robbery, alludes to the robbers' demand that the victims hold their hands high. [Late 1800s]

4

Also, hold out. Continue to function without losing force or effectiveness, endure. For example, We held up through that long bitter winter, or The nurse was able to hold out until someone could relieve her. [Late 1500s]

5

See hold one's head high.

Idioms and Phrases with hold up (2 of 2)

hold