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.
A: How's your brother doing these days? B: He's finally holding down a steady job at the bank.
In my opinion, it's not easy to hold down a job and study at the same time, but many students have to do it to support themselves.
Common mistake
✗She holds down with two jobs.
✓She holds down two jobs.
'Hold down + job' directly — no 'with'.
Tell it apart
He can't hold down a job.
keep it
They held down the protesters.
restrained by force
'Hold down a job' is often used when talking about someone who has trouble keeping jobs or when a job is demanding.Not the same as 'hold a job', which simply means to have a job. 'Hold down' suggests effort or difficulty.
to prevent something such as opposition, emotion, or unrest from developing or being expressed, often by using force, authority, or pressure.
The government tried to hold down dissent by restricting access to social media.
A: Why haven't we heard more protests about the policy? B: The authorities have really held down any public opposition.
Some argue that attempts to hold down public anger can ultimately lead to greater unrest in the long term.
Common mistake
✗They held down on the rebellion.
✓They held down the rebellion.
'Hold down + thing' directly — no 'on'.
Tell it apart
Tight policing held down the unrest.
suppressed it
He could barely hold down a job.
keep it
'Hold down' in this sense is used for suppressing abstract things like feelings, protests, or opposition, often by force or authority. It is not used for physical objects. Common in news, politics, and formal discussions.This sense is figurative and abstract, unlike the B2 sense of 'hold down' meaning 'keep a job.' Here, it refers to suppressing something (like dissent or emotion), not maintaining employment.