English Phrasal Verbs With “Hold”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, especially for learners aiming to sound more natural in conversation. The verb “hold” combines with various prepositions or adverbs to form phrasal verbs with distinct meanings. Below is a comprehensive guide to phrasal verbs with “hold,” including definitions, examples, and exercises.
1. Hold On
Meaning: To wait or pause briefly; to grip something firmly.
- “Hold on a minute—I need to grab my coat before we leave.”
- “She held on tightly to the railing as the boat rocked.”
- “Hold on, let me check my schedule before confirming.”
2. Hold Back
Meaning: To restrain or prevent someone/something from progressing; to hesitate.
- “He held back his anger during the argument.”
- “The heavy traffic held us back from arriving on time.”
- “Don’t hold back—tell me what you really think!”
3. Hold Up
Meaning: To delay; to rob someone at gunpoint; to remain strong.
- “The accident held up traffic for hours.”
- “The masked men held up the bank yesterday.”
- “Her courage held up even in the toughest times.”
4. Hold Out
Meaning: To endure or resist; to offer something.
- “The soldiers held out against the enemy for days.”
- “She held out her hand to help him stand up.”
- “Don’t hold out hope—the chances are very slim.”
5. Hold Off
Meaning: To delay or postpone something; to keep someone at a distance.
- “They decided to hold off the meeting until next week.”
- “The rain held off just long enough for the picnic.”
- “He held off the reporters with a firm ‘no comment.'”
6. Hold Down
Meaning: To keep something under control; to maintain a job.
- “She struggled to hold down her excitement.”
- “He’s been holding down two jobs to pay his bills.”
- “The government is trying to hold down inflation.”
7. Hold Over
Meaning: To extend or postpone something.
- “The movie was held over for another week due to popularity.”
- “They held the decision over until more data was available.”
- “The meeting was held over to the next day.”
8. Hold With
Meaning: To agree with or support something (often used in negative form).
- “I don’t hold with cheating—it’s unfair to others.”
- “She doesn’t hold with their old-fashioned traditions.”
- “Do you hold with the idea of working remotely?”
Exercises
Test your understanding of “hold” phrasal verbs with these exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete each sentence.
- “Please _____ (hold on/hold back) while I transfer your call.”
- “The bad weather _____ (held up/held out) our flight by three hours.”
- “She couldn’t _____ (hold down/hold over) her laughter during the speech.”
- “They _____ (held off/held with) making a decision until next month.”
- “I don’t _____ (hold over/hold with) skipping classes—it’s irresponsible.”
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences
Replace the underlined words with the correct phrasal verb.
- “Wait a moment—I’ll be right back.” → “_____ a moment—I’ll be right back.”
- “The team resisted the pressure until reinforcements arrived.” → “The team _____ the pressure until reinforcements arrived.”
- “He manages two jobs while studying.” → “He _____ two jobs while studying.”
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences
Write three sentences using any of the “hold” phrasal verbs discussed above.
| Phrasal Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Hold on | “Hold on, I need to tie my shoelaces.” |
| Hold back | “She couldn’t hold back her tears during the movie.” |
| Hold up | “The construction work held up the entire street.” |
By mastering these phrasal verbs, you’ll enhance your fluency and comprehension of everyday English. Practice them in conversations and writing to reinforce your learning!