holdˈall noun

An accommodating receptacle for clothes, etc, esp a large strong bag

holdˈback noun

1. A check
2. A strap joining the breeching to the shaft of a vehicle
3. Something withheld, esp money (see also hold back below)

hold 'em see Texas hold 'em under Texas

holdˈerbat noun (building)

A metal collar formed from two semicircular parts which can be clamped together round a pipe, with a projecting piece for fixing to a wall

holdˈfast noun

1. That which holds fast
2. A long nail
3. A catch
4. A plant's fixing organ other than a root

holding company noun

An industrial company that owns and controls part or all of one or more other companies, usu without having a direct hand in production

holding ground noun

Any part of the seabed where an anchor will hold

holding operation noun

A course of action designed to preserve the status quo

holding pattern noun

A specific course which aircraft are instructed to follow when waiting to land

holdˈout noun (informal)

1. Refusal to agree to something or to take part in an activity
2. A person who refuses in this way

holdˈover noun (N American)

1. Someone or something held over
2. A leftover, relic

holdˈ-up noun

1. An attack with a view to robbery
2. A highwayman
3. An act or state of holding up
4. A stoppage
5. (in pl) women's stockings worn without a suspender belt, supported by elasticated tops

get hold of

1. To obtain
2. To get in touch with

hold a call or put a call on hold

To delay completing a direct connection between a caller and the telephone number or person that they are trying to reach, keeping the caller waiting, eg until the line is clear, or the person sought can come to a telephone

hold against (informal)

To remember as a failing or as a misdemeanour on the part of

hold back

1. To restrain
2. To hesitate
3. To keep in reserve (holdˈback noun)

hold by

1. To believe in
2. To act in accordance with

hold down

1. To restrain
2. To keep (a job) by carrying out its duties efficiently, esp in spite of difficulties

hold forth

1. To put forward
2. To show
3. To speak in public, to declaim

hold good

To remain the case

hold hands

1. (of two people) to be hand in hand or clasping both of each other's hands
2. (of several people) each to clasp the hand of the person on either side, thus forming a line, circle, etc

hold hard!

Stop!

hold in

1. To restrain, check
2. To restrain oneself

hold it!

1. Keep the position exactly!
2. Stop!

hold of (Prayer Book)

To regard

hold off

1. To keep at a distance
2. To refrain (from)

hold on

1. To persist in something
2. To continue
3. To cling
4. To keep (with to)
5. Stop (imperative)
6. To wait a bit

hold one's hands up

To admit one is at fault

hold one's own

1. To maintain one's position
2. (in the course of an illness) not to fail or lose strength

hold one's peace or one's tongue

To keep silence

hold out

1. To endure, last
2. To continue resistance
3. To offer

hold out for

To wait determinedly for (something one wants or has asked for)

hold out on (informal)

To keep information, money, etc from

hold over

1. To postpone
2. To keep possession of (land or a house beyond the term of agreement)

hold (someone) in hand

To amuse in order to gain some advantage

hold the line

1. See hold (vi) above
2. To persist or maintain one's position while under pressure

hold the road

(of a vehicle) to remain stable and under the driver's control, eg in wet weather, at high speeds or on bends

hold to or hold someone to

To keep, or make someone keep (a promise), adhere to (a decision), etc

hold together

1. To remain united
2. To cohere

hold up

1. To raise
2. To keep back
3. To endure
4. To bring to, or keep at, a standstill
5. To stop and rob
6. To rob by threatening assault

hold up one's head

To face the world with self-respect

hold water see under water

hold with

1. To take sides with, support
2. To approve of

keep hold of

To maintain one's possession of or grip on

no holds barred

Not observing any rules of fair play (noˈ-holds-barredˈ adjective)

on hold

1. Postponed
2. In abeyance
3. Waiting to be connected