hold back
restrain emotion
to stop yourself from showing your feelings, especially strong emotions like anger, sadness, or excitement
She tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.
"hold" — same verb, different meanings
Phrasal verbs built on "hold" — same verb, but the particle changes the meaning. Pick the one that fits.
hold
back
hold backto stop yourself from showing your feelings, especially strong emotions like anger, sadness, or excitementShe tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.
down
hold downto manage to keep a job for a period of time, especially when it is difficult or challenging.It's impressive that she can hold down two jobs while studying full-time.
off
hold offto deliberately wait before doing something, especially to delay making a decision or taking action, often because you are waiting for a better moment or more information.We decided to hold off on buying a new car until next year.
on
hold onto wait for a short time, often used when asking someone to pause or not to go ahead yet.Hold on, I'll check if he's in his office.
on to
hold on toto keep something and not let anyone else have it, often because it is valuable or important to you.I think I'll hold on to my old phone for a bit longer.
out
hold outto continue to exist, stay strong, or not give up when things are tough or resources are running out.We only have enough food to hold out for another two days.
out for
hold out forTo refuse to accept less than what you want, and keep waiting until you get it.She decided to hold out for a better job offer instead of accepting the first one.
up
hold upTo cause someone or something to be late or to slow down.Sorry I'm late—the traffic really held me up this morning.
hold down
keep a job
to manage to keep a job for a period of time, especially when it is difficult or challenging.
It's impressive that she can hold down two jobs while studying full-time.
hold off
delay acting (especially making a decision or starting something)
to deliberately wait before doing something, especially to delay making a decision or taking action, often because you are waiting for a better moment or more information.
We decided to hold off on buying a new car until next year.
hold on
wait briefly
to wait for a short time, often used when asking someone to pause or not to go ahead yet.
Hold on, I'll check if he's in his office.
hold on to
keep something and not give or sell it to anyone else
to keep something and not let anyone else have it, often because it is valuable or important to you.
I think I'll hold on to my old phone for a bit longer.
hold out
to last or survive in a difficult situation
to continue to exist, stay strong, or not give up when things are tough or resources are running out.
We only have enough food to hold out for another two days.
hold out for
wait until you get what you want
To refuse to accept less than what you want, and keep waiting until you get it.
She decided to hold out for a better job offer instead of accepting the first one.
hold up
delay
To cause someone or something to be late or to slow down.
Sorry I'm late—the traffic really held me up this morning.