a pause or delay, as in a continuing series: a hold in the movements of a dance.
37.
a prison or prison cell.
38.
a receptacle for something: a basket used as a hold for letters.
39.
Rocketry. a halt in the prelaunch countdown, either planned or unexpectedly called, to allow correction of one or more faults in the rocket or missile.
40.
a fortified place; stronghold.
41.
(on telephones with two or more lines) a feature that enables a person to maintain a connection on one line while answering another line.
—Verb phrases
42.
hold back,
a.
to restrain or check: Police held back the crowd.
b.
to retain possession of; keep back: He held back ten dollars.
c.
to refrain from revealing; withhold: to hold back information.
d.
to refrain from participating or engaging in some activity: He held back from joining in the singing because he felt depressed.
e.
Photography. dodge (def. 2).
43.
hold down,
a.
to restrain; check: Hold down that noise!
b.
to continue to hold and manage well: She held down that job for years.
44.
hold forth,
a.
to extend or offer; propose.
b.
to talk at great length; harangue: When we left, he was still holding forth on World War II.
45.
hold in,
a.
to restrain; check; curb.
b.
to contain oneself; exercise restraint: He was raging inside, but held himself in for fear of saying something he would regret.
46.
hold off,
a.
to keep at a distance; resist; repel.
b.
to postpone action; defer: If you hold off applying for a passport, you may not get one in time.
47.
hold on,
a.
to keep a firm grip on.
b.
to keep going; continue.
c.
to maintain, as one's opinion or position.
d.
to stop; halt (usually used imperatively): Hold on now! That isn't what I meant at all.
e.
to keep a telephone connection open by not hanging up the receiver: The operator asked us to hold on while the number we'd dialed was being checked.
48.
hold out,
a.
to present; offer.
b.
to stretch forth; extend: Hold out your hand.
c.
to continue to exist; last: Will the food hold out?
d.
to refuse to yield or submit: The defenders held out for weeks.
e.
to withhold something expected or due: He was suspected of holding out information important to the case.
49.
hold over,
a.
to keep for future consideration or action; postpone.
b.
to remain in possession or in office beyond the regular term.
c.
to remain beyond the arranged period: The movie was held over for a week.
d.
Music. to prolong (a tone) from one measure to the next.
50.
hold up,
a.
to offer; give: She held up his father as an example to follow.
b.
to present to notice; expose: to hold someone up to ridicule.
c.
to hinder; delay: The plane's departure was held up because of the storm.
d.
to stop by force in order to rob.
e.
to support; uphold: to hold up farm prices.
f.
to stop; halt: They held up at the gate.
g.
to maintain one's position or condition; endure: They held up through all their troubles.
51.
hold with,
a.
to be in agreement with; concur with: I don't hold with his pessimistic views.
b.
to approve of; condone: They won't hold with such a travesty of justice.
—Idioms
52.
get hold of,
a.
to get a hold on: Get hold of the railing.
b.
to communicate with, esp. by telephone: If she's not at home, try to get hold of her at the office.
no holds barred, without limits, rules, or restraints.
58.
on hold,
a.
in or into a state of temporary interruption or suspension: The project will be put on hold until funds become available.
b.
Telecommunications. in or into a state of temporary interruption in a telephone connection: I'm putting you on hold to answer another call. Compare call waiting.
Origin: bef. 900; ME holden, OE h(e)aldan; c. OFris, ON halda, OS, Goth haldan, OHG haltan (G halten)
Related forms:
hold⋅a⋅ble, adjective
Synonyms: 8.possess, own. See have.9.See contain.11.embrace, espouse, have. See maintain.12.deem, esteem, judge. 19.persist, last, endure. 20.stick.
get (gět) v.
got (gŏt), got·ten (gŏt'n) or got, get·ting, gets
v.
tr.
To come into possession or use of; receive: got a cat for her birthday.
To meet with or incur: got nothing but trouble for her efforts.
To go after and obtain: got a book at the library; got breakfast in town.
To go after and bring: Get me a pillow.
To purchase; buy: get groceries.
To acquire as a result of action or effort: He got his information from the Internet. You can't get water out of a stone.
To earn: got high marks in math.
To accomplish or attain as a result of military action.
To arrive at; reach: When did you get home?
To reach and board; catch: She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.
To be subjected to; undergo: got a severe concussion.
To receive as retribution or punishment: got six years in prison for tax fraud.
To sustain a stated injury to: got my arm broken.
To gain or have understanding of: Do you get this question?
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
To find or reach by calculating: get a total; can't get the answer.
To perceive by hearing: I didn't get your name when we were introduced.
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition: got the children tired and cross; got the shirt clean.
To make ready; prepare: get lunch for a crowd.
To cause to come or go: got the car through traffic.
To cause to move or leave: Get me out of here!
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
To go after and obtain: got a book at the library; got breakfast in town.
To go after and bring: Get me a pillow.
To purchase; buy: get groceries.
To acquire as a result of action or effort: He got his information from the Internet. You can't get water out of a stone.
To earn: got high marks in math.
To accomplish or attain as a result of military action.
To arrive at; reach: When did you get home?
To reach and board; catch: She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.
To be subjected to; undergo: got a severe concussion.
To receive as retribution or punishment: got six years in prison for tax fraud.
To sustain a stated injury to: got my arm broken.
To gain or have understanding of: Do you get this question?
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
To find or reach by calculating: get a total; can't get the answer.
To perceive by hearing: I didn't get your name when we were introduced.
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition: got the children tired and cross; got the shirt clean.
To make ready; prepare: get lunch for a crowd.
To cause to come or go: got the car through traffic.
To cause to move or leave: Get me out of here!
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
To acquire as a result of action or effort: He got his information from the Internet. You can't get water out of a stone.
To earn: got high marks in math.
To accomplish or attain as a result of military action.
To arrive at; reach: When did you get home?
To reach and board; catch: She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.
To be subjected to; undergo: got a severe concussion.
To receive as retribution or punishment: got six years in prison for tax fraud.
To sustain a stated injury to: got my arm broken.
To gain or have understanding of: Do you get this question?
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
To find or reach by calculating: get a total; can't get the answer.
To perceive by hearing: I didn't get your name when we were introduced.
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition: got the children tired and cross; got the shirt clean.
To make ready; prepare: get lunch for a crowd.
To cause to come or go: got the car through traffic.
To cause to move or leave: Get me out of here!
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
To obtain by concession or request: couldn't get the time off; got permission to go.
To arrive at; reach: When did you get home?
To reach and board; catch: She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.
To be subjected to; undergo: got a severe concussion.
To receive as retribution or punishment: got six years in prison for tax fraud.
To sustain a stated injury to: got my arm broken.
To gain or have understanding of: Do you get this question?
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
To find or reach by calculating: get a total; can't get the answer.
To perceive by hearing: I didn't get your name when we were introduced.
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition: got the children tired and cross; got the shirt clean.
To make ready; prepare: get lunch for a crowd.
To cause to come or go: got the car through traffic.
To cause to move or leave: Get me out of here!
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
To succeed in communicating with, as by telephone: can't get me at the office until nine.
To become affected with (an illness, for example) by infection or exposure; catch: get the flu; got the mumps.
To be subjected to; undergo: got a severe concussion.
To receive as retribution or punishment: got six years in prison for tax fraud.
To sustain a stated injury to: got my arm broken.
To gain or have understanding of: Do you get this question?
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
To find or reach by calculating: get a total; can't get the answer.
To perceive by hearing: I didn't get your name when we were introduced.
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition: got the children tired and cross; got the shirt clean.
To make ready; prepare: get lunch for a crowd.
To cause to come or go: got the car through traffic.
To cause to move or leave: Get me out of here!
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
To gain or have understanding of: Do you get this question?
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
To find or reach by calculating: get a total; can't get the answer.
To perceive by hearing: I didn't get your name when we were introduced.
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition: got the children tired and cross; got the shirt clean.
To make ready; prepare: get lunch for a crowd.
To cause to come or go: got the car through traffic.
To cause to move or leave: Get me out of here!
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
To procreate; beget.
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition: got the children tired and cross; got the shirt clean.
To make ready; prepare: get lunch for a crowd.
To cause to come or go: got the car through traffic.
To cause to move or leave: Get me out of here!
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
To cause to undertake or perform; prevail on: got the guide to give us the complete tour.
To take, especially by force; seize: The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Informal To overcome or destroy: The ice storm got the rose bushes.
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in: Romantic music really gets me.
To annoy or irritate: What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle.
To take revenge on, especially to kill in revenge for a wrong.
Informal To hit or strike: She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
Baseball To put out.
To begin or start. Used with the present participle: I have to get working on this or I'll miss my deadline.
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: We've got plenty of cash.
Nonstandard To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present: They got a nice house in town.
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present: I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Nonstandard To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present: I got to git me a huntin' dog.
v.
intr.
To become or grow to be: eventually got well.
To be successful in coming or going: When will we get to Dallas?
To be successful in becoming: get free of a drug problem.
Used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary: got stung by a bee.
To become drawn in, entangled, or involved: got into debt; get into a hassle.
To be able or permitted: never got to see Europe; finally got to work at home.
To be successful in becoming: get free of a drug problem.
Used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary: got stung by a bee.
To become drawn in, entangled, or involved: got into debt; get into a hassle.
Informal To depart immediately: yelled at the dog to get.
To work for gain or profit; make money: puts all his energy into getting and spending.
n.
The act of begetting.
Progeny; offspring.
To make progress.
To advance, especially in years.
To enter.
To arrive: We got in late last night.
To fire (a round of ammunition, for example): got off two shots before the deer disappeared.
To write and send, as a letter.
To feel great pleasure or gratification.
To experience euphoria, for example, as a result of taking a drug.
To make progress; continue: get on with a performance.
To advance in years.
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
Chiefly British Slang A foolish or contemptible person.
Sports A return, as in tennis, on a shot that seems impossible to reach.
To make understandable or clear: tried to get my point across.
To be convincing or understandable: How can I get across to the students?
To be or continue to be on harmonious terms: gets along with the in-laws.
To manage or fare with reasonable success: can't get along on those wages.
To make progress.
To advance, especially in years.
To enter.
To arrive: We got in late last night.
To fire (a round of ammunition, for example): got off two shots before the deer disappeared.
To write and send, as a letter.
To feel great pleasure or gratification.
To experience euphoria, for example, as a result of taking a drug.
To make progress; continue: get on with a performance.
To advance in years.
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To go away; leave.
To circumvent or evade: managed to get around the real issues.
Informal To convince or win over by flattering or cajoling.
To travel from place to place: It is hard to get around without a car.
To become known; circulate: Word got around.
To touch or reach successfully: The cat hid where we couldn't get at it.
To try to make understandable; hint at or suggest: I don't know what you're getting at.
To discover or understand: tried to get at the cause of the problem.
Informal To bribe or influence by improper or illegal means: He got at the judge, and the charges were dismissed.
To break free; escape.
To leave or go away: wanted to come along, but couldn't get away.
To pass or outstrip.
To succeed at a level of minimal acceptibility or with the minimal amount of effort: just got by in college.
To succeed in managing; survive: We'll get by if we economize.
To be unnoticed or ignored by: The mistake got by the editor, but the proofreader caught it.
To descend.
To give one's attention. Often used with to:Let's get down to work.
To exhaust, discourage, or depress: The heat was getting me down.
To swallow: got the pill down on the first try.
To describe in writing.
Informal To lose one's inhibitions; enjoy oneself wholeheartedly.
To enter.
To arrive: We got in late last night.
To fire (a round of ammunition, for example): got off two shots before the deer disappeared.
To write and send, as a letter.
To feel great pleasure or gratification.
To experience euphoria, for example, as a result of taking a drug.
To make progress; continue: get on with a performance.
To advance in years.
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To become or cause to become involved: She got in with the wrong crowd. Repeated loans from the finance company got me deeper in debt.
To become accepted, as in a club.
To succeed in making or doing: got in six deliveries before noon.
To become involved in: got into trouble by stealing cars.
Informal To be interested in: got into gourmet cooking.
To start, as on a trip; leave.
To fire (a round of ammunition, for example): got off two shots before the deer disappeared.
To write and send, as a letter.
To feel great pleasure or gratification.
To experience euphoria, for example, as a result of taking a drug.
To make progress; continue: get on with a performance.
To advance in years.
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To escape, as from punishment or danger: got off scot-free.
To obtain a release or lesser penalty for: The attorney got her client off with a slap on the wrist.
Slang To act or speak with effrontery. Used in the imperative to express contempt or disdainful disbelief.
Slang To have an orgasm.
Slang
To feel great pleasure or gratification.
To experience euphoria, for example, as a result of taking a drug.
To make progress; continue: get on with a performance.
To advance in years.
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To get permission to leave one's workplace: got off early and went fishing.
To be or continue on harmonious terms: gets on well with the neighbors.
To manage or fare with reasonable success.
To make progress; continue: get on with a performance.
To advance in years.
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To acquire understanding or knowledge: got on to the con game.
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To become known: Somehow the secret got out.
To publish, as a newspaper.
To prevail against; overcome.
To recover from: finally got over the divorce.
To get across.
To arrive at the end of; finish or complete.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To influence or affect, especially adversely: The noise really gets to me.
To bring together; gather.
To come together.
To arrive at an agreement.
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To act as the creator or organizer of: got up a petition against rezoning.
To dress or adorn: She got herself up in a bizarre outfit.
To find within oneself: got up the nerve to quit.
Phrasal Verb(s): get aboutTo be out of bed and beginning to walk again, as after an illness. get across
To make understandable or clear: tried to get my point across.
To be convincing or understandable: How can I get across to the students?
get afterTo urge or scold: You should get after them to mow the lawn. get along
To be or continue to be on harmonious terms: gets along with the in-laws.
To manage or fare with reasonable success: can't get along on those wages.
To make progress.
To advance, especially in years.
To go away; leave.
get around
To circumvent or evade: managed to get around the real issues.
Informal To convince or win over by flattering or cajoling.
To travel from place to place: It is hard to get around without a car.
To become known; circulate: Word got around.
get at
To touch or reach successfully: The cat hid where we couldn't get at it.
To try to make understandable; hint at or suggest: I don't know what you're getting at.
To discover or understand: tried to get at the cause of the problem.
Informal To bribe or influence by improper or illegal means: He got at the judge, and the charges were dismissed.
get away
To break free; escape.
To leave or go away: wanted to come along, but couldn't get away.
get backTo return to a person, place, or condition: getting back to the subject. get by
To pass or outstrip.
To succeed at a level of minimal acceptibility or with the minimal amount of effort: just got by in college.
To succeed in managing; survive: We'll get by if we economize.
To be unnoticed or ignored by: The mistake got by the editor, but the proofreader caught it.
get down
To descend.
To give one's attention. Often used with to:Let's get down to work.
To exhaust, discourage, or depress: The heat was getting me down.
To swallow: got the pill down on the first try.
To describe in writing.
Informal To lose one's inhibitions; enjoy oneself wholeheartedly.
get in
To enter.
To arrive: We got in late last night.
To become or cause to become involved: She got in with the wrong crowd. Repeated loans from the finance company got me deeper in debt.
To become accepted, as in a club.
To succeed in making or doing: got in six deliveries before noon.
get into
To become involved in: got into trouble by stealing cars.
Informal To be interested in: got into gourmet cooking.
get off
To start, as on a trip; leave.
To fire (a round of ammunition, for example): got off two shots before the deer disappeared.
To write and send, as a letter.
To feel great pleasure or gratification.
To experience euphoria, for example, as a result of taking a drug.
To escape, as from punishment or danger: got off scot-free.
To obtain a release or lesser penalty for: The attorney got her client off with a slap on the wrist.
Slang To act or speak with effrontery. Used in the imperative to express contempt or disdainful disbelief.
Slang To have an orgasm.
Slang
To feel great pleasure or gratification.
To experience euphoria, for example, as a result of taking a drug.
To get permission to leave one's workplace: got off early and went fishing.
get on
To be or continue on harmonious terms: gets on well with the neighbors.
To manage or fare with reasonable success.
To make progress; continue: get on with a performance.
To advance in years.
To acquire understanding or knowledge: got on to the con game.
get out
To leave or escape.
To cause to leave or escape.
To become known: Somehow the secret got out.
To publish, as a newspaper.
get over
To prevail against; overcome.
To recover from: finally got over the divorce.
To get across.
get through
To arrive at the end of; finish or complete.
To succeed in making contact; reach.
To make oneself understood.
get to
To begin. Used with the present participle: got to reminiscing.
To start to deal with: didn't get to the housework until Sunday.
To influence or affect, especially adversely: The noise really gets to me.
get together
To bring together; gather.
To come together.
To arrive at an agreement.
get up
To arise from bed or rise to one's feet.
To climb.
To act as the creator or organizer of: got up a petition against rezoning.
To dress or adorn: She got herself up in a bizarre outfit.
To find within oneself: got up the nerve to quit.
Idiom(s):
get around toTo find the time or occasion for.
Idiom(s):
get away withTo escape the consequences of (a blameworthy act, for example): got away with cheating.
Idiom(s):
get back atTo take revenge on.
Idiom(s):
get crackingTo begin to work; get started.
Idiom(s):
get evenTo obtain revenge.
Idiom(s):
get even withTo repay with an equivalent act, as for revenge.
Idiom(s):
get goingTo make a beginning; get started.
Idiom(s):
get hold/ahold of
To bring into one's grasp, possession, or control.
To communicate with, especially by telephone.
Idiom(s):
get it Informal To be punished or scolded.
Idiom(s):
get it on Slang
To become filled with energy or excitement.
To engage in sexual intercourse.
Idiom(s):
get nowhereTo make no progress.
Idiom(s):
get (one's) Informal To receive one's due punishment: After sassing his parents, he really got his.
Idiom(s):
get on the stickTo begin to work.
Idiom(s):
get out ofTo gain release from the obligation of: She tried to get out of taking her brother to the mall. He couldn't get out of his date on Saturday.
Idiom(s):
get (someone's) goatTo make angry or vexed.
Idiom(s):
get somewhere Informal To make progress.
Idiom(s):
get there Informal To make progress or achieve success.
Idiom(s):
get wind ofTo learn of: got wind of the scheme.
[Middle English geten, from Old Norse geta; see ghend- in Indo-European roots.] get'a·ble, get'ta·ble adj.
Usage Note: The use of get in the passive, as in We got sunburned at the beach, is generally avoided in formal writing. In less formal contexts, however, the construction can provide a useful difference in tone or emphasis, as between the sentences The demonstrators were arrested and The demonstrators got arrested. The first example implies that the responsibility for the arrests rests primarily with the police, while the example using get implies that the demonstrators deliberately provoked the arrests. · In colloquial use and in numerous nonstandard varieties of American English, the past tense form got has the meaning of the present. This arose probably by dropping the helping verb have from the past perfects have got, has got:We've got to go, we've got a lot of problems became We got to go, we got a lot of problems. The reanalysis of got as a present-tense form has led to the creation of a third singular gots in some varieties of English, especially African American Vernacular English.
hold 1 (hōld) v.
held (hěld), hold·ing, holds
v.
tr.
To have and keep in one's grasp: held the reins tightly.
To aim or direct; point: held a hose on the fire.
To keep from falling or moving; support: a nail too small to hold the mirror; hold the horse steady; papers that were held together with staples.
To sustain the pressure of: The old bridge can't hold much weight.
To keep from departing or getting away: Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
To keep in custody: held the suspect for questioning.
To retain (one's attention or interest): Televised sports can't hold my interest.
To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
To be filled by; contain.
To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.
To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.
To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.
To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
To be the legal possessor of.
To bind by a contract.
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To keep from departing or getting away: Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
To keep in custody: held the suspect for questioning.
To retain (one's attention or interest): Televised sports can't hold my interest.
To avoid letting out or expelling: The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
To be filled by; contain.
To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.
To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.
To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.
To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
To be the legal possessor of.
To bind by a contract.
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To be filled by; contain.
To be capable of holding. See Synonyms at contain.
To have as a chief characteristic or quality: The film holds many surprises.
To have in store: Let's see what the future holds.
To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
To be the legal possessor of.
To bind by a contract.
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To have and maintain in one's possession: holds a great deal of property.
To have as a responsible position or a privilege: held the governorship for six years.
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority: holds the record for the one-mile race; holds the respect of her peers.
To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
To be the legal possessor of.
To bind by a contract.
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To maintain control over: Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion: Protesters held the embassy for a week.
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action: The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
To be the legal possessor of.
To bind by a contract.
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To impose control or restraint on; curb: She held her temper.
To stop the movement or progress of: Hold the presses!
To reserve or keep back from use: Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
To defer the immediate handling of: The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
To be the legal possessor of.
To bind by a contract.
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To be the legal possessor of.
To bind by a contract.
To adjudge or decree: The court held that the defendant was at fault.
To make accountable; obligate: He held me to my promise.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view: holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
To assert or affirm, especially formally: This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
To regard in a certain way: I hold you in high esteem.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To cause to take place; carry on: held the race in Texas; hold a yard sale.
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene: held a meeting of the board.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position: Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection: held my nose against the stench.
v.
intr.
To maintain a grasp or grip on something.
To stay securely fastened: The chain held.
To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition: hopes the weather will hold.
To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition: The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.
To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition: hopes the weather will hold.
To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition: The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.
To continue in the same direction: The ship held to an easterly course.
To be valid, applicable, or true: The observation still holds in cases like this.
To have legal right or title. Often used with of or from.
To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.
To stop the countdown during a missile or spacecraft launch.
Slang To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics: The suspect was holding.
n.
The act or a means of grasping.
A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido: a neck hold; an arm hold.
A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated: a writer with a strong hold on her readership.
Complete control: has a firm hold on the complex issues.
Full understanding: has a good hold on physics.
The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
A prison cell.
The state of being in confinement; custody.
To postpone or delay.
To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
Something that may be grasped or gripped, as for support.
A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position: adjusted the horizontal hold.
A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.
A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated: a writer with a strong hold on her readership.
Complete control: has a firm hold on the complex issues.
Full understanding: has a good hold on physics.
The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
A prison cell.
The state of being in confinement; custody.
To postpone or delay.
To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
Music
The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
A prison cell.
The state of being in confinement; custody.
To postpone or delay.
To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
A prison cell.
The state of being in confinement; custody.
To postpone or delay.
To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
A prison cell.
The state of being in confinement; custody.
To postpone or delay.
To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
Archaic A fortified place; a stronghold.
To retain in one's possession or control: held back valuable information; held back my tears.
To impede the progress of.
To restrain oneself.
To limit: Please hold the noise down.
To fulfill the duties of (a job): holds down two jobs.
To keep at a distance; resist: held the creditors off.
To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data.
To maintain one's grip; cling.
To continue to do something; persist.
To wait for something wanted or requested, especially to keep a telephone connection open.
To present or proffer as something attainable.
To continue to be in supply or service; last: Our food is holding out nicely.
To continue to resist: The defending garrison held out for a month.
To refuse to reach or satisfy an agreement.
To postpone or delay.
To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
To continue a term of office past the usual length of time.
To prolong the engagement of: The film was held over for weeks.
To obstruct or delay.
To rob while armed, often at gunpoint.
To offer or present as an example: held the essay up as a model for the students.
To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: managed to hold up under the stress.
Phrasal Verb(s): hold back
To retain in one's possession or control: held back valuable information; held back my tears.
To impede the progress of.
To restrain oneself.
hold down
To limit: Please hold the noise down.
To fulfill the duties of (a job): holds down two jobs.
hold forthTo talk at great length. hold off
To keep at a distance; resist: held the creditors off.
To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data.
hold on
To maintain one's grip; cling.
To continue to do something; persist.
To wait for something wanted or requested, especially to keep a telephone connection open.
hold out
To present or proffer as something attainable.
To continue to be in supply or service; last: Our food is holding out nicely.
To continue to resist: The defending garrison held out for a month.
To refuse to reach or satisfy an agreement.
hold over
To postpone or delay.
To keep in a position or state from an earlier period of time.
To continue a term of office past the usual length of time.
To prolong the engagement of: The film was held over for weeks.
hold toTo remain loyal or faithful to: She held to her resolutions. hold up
To obstruct or delay.
To rob while armed, often at gunpoint.
To offer or present as an example: held the essay up as a model for the students.
To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: managed to hold up under the stress.
hold withTo agree with; support: I don't hold with your theories.
Idiom(s):
get hold of
To come into possession of; find: Where can I get hold of a copy?
To communicate with, as by telephone: tried to get hold of you but the line was busy.
To gain control of. Often used reflexively: You must get hold of yourself!
Idiom(s):
hold a candle toTo compare favorably with: This film doesn't hold a candle to his previous ones.
Idiom(s):
hold (one's) end upTo fulfill one's part of an agreement; do one's share.
Idiom(s):
hold (one's) ownTo do reasonably well despite difficulty or criticism.
Idiom(s):
hold out on (someone)To withhold something from: Don't hold out on me; start telling the truth.
Idiom(s):
hold (someone's) feet to the fireTo pressure (someone) to consent to or undertake something.
Idiom(s):
hold swayTo have a controlling influence; dominate.
Idiom(s):
hold the bag Informal
To be left with empty hands.
To be forced to assume total responsibility when it ought to have been shared.
Idiom(s):
hold the fort Informal
To assume responsibility, especially in another's absence.
To maintain a secure position.
Idiom(s):
hold the lineTo maintain the existing position or state of affairs: had to hold the line on salary increases.
Idiom(s):
hold the phone Slang To stop doing what one is engaged in doing. Often used in the imperative: Hold the phone! Let's end this argument.
Idiom(s):
hold waterTo stand up to critical examination: Your explanation doesn't hold water.
Idiom(s):
no holds barredWithout limits or restraints.
Idiom(s):
on hold
Into a state of temporary interruption without severing a telephone connection: put me on hold for 10 minutes.
Informal Into a state of delay or indeterminate suspension: had to put the romance on hold.
[Middle English holden, from Old English healdan.]
tv. & in. to possess drugs. (Drugs.) : Gert was holding coke when she was arrested.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
hold (v.)
O.E. haldan (Anglian), healdan (W.Saxon), class VII strong verb (past tense heold, pp. healden), from P.Gmc. *khaldanan (cf. O.N. halda, Du. houden, Ger. halten "to hold," Goth. haldan "to tend"), originally "to keep, tend, watch over" (as cattle), later "to have." Ancestral sense is preserved in behold. Holdup, in sense of "a stoppage," is 1837 in Amer.Eng.; sense of "stopping by force and robbing" is 1851, also in Amer.Eng., probably strengthened by notion of "holding up hands." To hold (one's) own is from c.1330. No holds barred "with all restrictions removed" is first recorded 1942 in theater jargon but is ultimately from wrestling. Phrase hold your horses "be patient" is from 1844. Hold out (v.) is from 1907. The original pp. holden was replaced by held beginning 16c., but survives in some legal jargon and in beholden.
Main Entry: hold Function: transitive verb Inflected Forms: held; hold·ing 1 a: to have lawful possession or ownership of <held the property as tenants in common> holds the title to the car> b: to have as a privilege or position of responsibility <holding a retail liquor license> hold their offices during good behavior —U.S. Constitution article III> 2: to restrain the liberty of; specifically: to keep in custody held without bail> 3: to cause to be conducted hold a hearing on the matter> 4: to rule as the holding of a case held that such conduct violated the statute> —compare DECIDE, FIND
Grasp, obtain; also, get in touch with. For example, If you can just get hold of one end, I'll get the other, or Jane had no luck getting hold of the book she needed, or I've phoned a dozen times but I can't seem to get hold of him. [c. 1300] Also see lay hold of.
[hohld] 
verb, held; held or (Archaic
) hold⋅en; hold⋅ing; noun