Meaning trap
hold on to
cling to beliefs
to continue believing or supporting an idea, belief, or attitude very strongly, especially when it is difficult to do so or when others disagree.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to continue believing or supporting an idea, belief, or attitude very strongly, especially when it is difficult to do so or when others disagree.
'hold on to' also has the more basic meaning 'keep something and not give or sell it to anyone else'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Despite all the criticism, she held on to her principles and refused to compromise.beliefs
- Many people hold on to traditional values, even as society becomes more modern and open-minded.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: hold on to + belief/principle/idea/hope
WrongHe holds on his beliefs strongly.
RightHe holds on to his beliefs.
Needs 'to' — 'hold on TO a belief'.
Patternhold on to + belief/principle/idea/hope
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Hold on to (hope/belief)' is the natural figurative phrase. The formal version is stiff.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
hold on to + beliefhopeyour dreamsthe belief thatfaith
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense, which is about physically or practically keeping an object, this sense is figurative and refers to maintaining beliefs, attitudes, or hopes, often despite challenges.
Related
- hold on to (keep something and not give or sell it to anyone else) — 'hold on to' also has the more basic meaning 'keep something and not give or sell it to anyone else'; this is the advanced sense.