| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| hold a candle |
do as well, compare with, measure up
|
The Buick is nice, but it can't hold a candle to the Cadillac.
|
| hold a grudge |
stay angry for a long time, bad blood
|
He gets mad, but he never holds a grudge. He forgives easily.
|
| hold a meeting |
organize and conduct a meeting
|
The club will hold a meeting on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
|
| hold down |
keep, stay at
|
He has shown that he can hold down a job. He's reliable.
|
| hold forth |
talk at length about one subject, lecture
|
"If you mention his favorite topic--ants--he'll hold forth for hours!"
|
| hold her liquor |
drink but not get drunk, hold your drinks
|
Thelma can hold her liquor. She looks sober after five drinks.
|
| hold it |
stop, this is important, hold on, wait a minute
|
"You and I will swim over to - " "Hold it! I can't swim. I didn't agree to swim anywhere!"
|
| hold me responsible |
say that I am responsible, carry the can, lay the blame
|
Because I'm the cashier, the manager holds me responsible for missing cash.
|
| hold on |
wait, do not begin, we are not ready
|
Hold on! We haven't fastened our seat belts.
|
| hold-out |
a person who does not agree
|
There are two hold-outs, but both people are willing to negotiate.
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