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)
OTHER WORDS FROM hold
hold·a·ble, adjectiveWords nearby hold
British Dictionary definitions for hold up (1 of 2)
hold
1
/ (həʊld) /
verb holds, holding or held (hɛld)
noun
Derived forms of hold
holdable, adjectiveWord 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
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]
Obstruct or delay, as in We were held up in traffic. [c. 1900]
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]
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]
See hold one's head high.
Idioms and Phrases with hold up (2 of 2)
hold