Meaning trap
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.
phrasal verbB1common
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
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.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- I think I'll hold on to my old phone for a bit longer.daily life
- If I won a large amount of money, I would probably hold on to most of it instead of spending it right away.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: hold on to + noun
WrongYou should hold on it.
RightYou should hold on to it.
This sense needs 'to' — 'hold ON TO something'.
Patternhold on to + noun
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Hold on to' is the everyday verb for keeping something. 'Retain for future reference' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
hold on to + thingthe receiptyour ticketthesethe originals
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'hold on' (wait) or 'hold' (carry or support).