Hold phrasal verbs

May 6, 2011 By admin 10 comments

In today’s lesson we are going to look at using the verb ‘to hold’ combined with particles. Here are some more of the most common expressions:

‘to hold back’ means to restrain or stop something working.

High rates of tax are holding back economic growth.
He could easily get promotion if he were more a team player. His attitude is holding him back.

‘to hold back’ can also mean to not say or do something.

‘to hold down’ means to stop something increasing.

‘to hold down’ also means to keep a job even if it is difficult.

There are lots of women who hold down high powered jobs and have children.
She was holding down a very responsible position when she was only twenty-three.

‘to hold off’ means to delay doing something or delay making a decision about it.

‘to hold on’ means to wait for a short time.

Let’s see if he arrives. We can hold on a couple of minutes.
We can’t hold on much longer, we’re going to miss the train. We’ll have to go without him.

‘to hold on’ is used frequently on the phone to ask people to wait a few moments.

‘to hold out’ means to put something in front of you.

‘to hold out for’ means to wait for what you want and not accept less.

They were on strike for a long time. Holding out for a 10% increase in salary.
I think we should hold out for a better price. House prices are beginning to rise again.

‘to hold up’ means to delay something.