Dictionary

hold on en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. To grasp or grip firmly.
   • Hold on tightly to the railing.
2. (idiomatic) To keep; to store something for someone.
   • Hold on to my umbrella while I ride the roller coaster.
3. (idiomatic) To retain an advantage.
   • I'm holding on to my trump cards until I really need them.
4. (idiomatic) Wait a short while.
   • Hold on while I get my coat.
   • The departure was not unduly prolonged. In the road Mr. Love and the driver favoured the company with a brief chanty running. “Got it?—No, I ain't, 'old on,—Got it? Got it?—No, 'old on sir.” 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 5, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
5. (idiomatic) To remain loyal.
   • He didn't give up his fandom when others did; he held on.
6. (idiomatic) To persist.
   • This trade held on for many years. 1723, Jonathan Swift, Some Arguments Against Enlarging the Power of Bishops:
   • That scare aside, Wolves had little trouble in holding on for their first league away win of the season and their first over the Reds since little-known striker Steve Mardenborough gave them a victory at Anfield in January 1984. 2010 December 29, Sam Sheringham, “Liverpool 0-1 Wolverhampton”, in BBC:

Forms

Relateds

hang on · hold up · on hold

Synonyms

beclasp · fang · stick by · belock · store · stick it out · stick with · begrip · grabble · live · back that train up · prevail · defer · hold tight · mark time · lie · stay · clinch · stand by · seize · hang on · hold one's breath · grip · go to the wall for someone · hold on · fondle · hold on · endure · aby · stand by · abide · expect · stranglehold · hold one's horses · cool one's heels · bide · wait · hold one's water · hold on · nim · grasp · abide · last · bide one's time · clutch · begrasp · belock · clench · remain · clasp · hold out · nab · hang on · hold · persist · hold tight · astand · last · go on · stick · hang on · twiddle one's thumbs · keep faith · go on · abide by · stick out · remain · take · keep faith · hold on · cling · grab · glaum · keep · enclasp

Translations (63)

it aspettare un po' (wait a minute) · fi odottaa (wait a minute) · hu megkapaszkodik (to hold, grasp, or grip) · ru подержать (to keep; to store something for someone) · tl sandali (wait a minute) · pl zaczekać (wait a minute) · ja ちょっと待つ (wait a minute) · fi pysyä lujana (stay loyal) · sv hålla i (to hold, grasp, or grip) · nl wachten (wait a minute) · it tenere (to keep; to store something for someone) · uli hooliu (to hold, grasp, or grip) · it aspettare un istante (wait a minute) · tl patago (to keep; to store something for someone) · tr sadık kalmak (stay loyal) · pl przytrzymać się (to hold, grasp, or grip) · tl pahawak (to keep; to store something for someone) · tl pabantay (to keep; to store something for someone) · it aspettare un momento (wait a minute) · pl trzymać się (to hold, grasp, or grip) · it tenersi (to hold, grasp, or grip) · fi pitää kiinni (to hold, grasp, or grip) · eo alteniĝi (to hold, grasp, or grip) · ru держаться (to hold, grasp, or grip) · hu belekapaszkodik (to hold, grasp, or grip) · pl przytrzymywać się (to hold, grasp, or grip) · sv förbli lojal (stay loyal) · sv dröja (wait a minute) · pl poczekać (wait a minute) · fi säilyttää (to keep; to store something for someone) · hu kitart (mellette) (stay loyal) · it aggrapparsi (to hold, grasp, or grip) · tl hawak (to hold, grasp, or grip) · ru повременить (wait a minute) · pt esperar um pouco (wait a minute) · de warten (wait a minute) · sv hålla i sig (to keep; to store something for someone) · tr tutunmak (to hold, grasp, or grip) · hu vigyáz (to keep; to store something for someone) · pl przetrzymywać (to keep; to store something for someone) · de anhalten (to hold, grasp, or grip) · pl trwać przy (stay loyal) · fr garder (to keep; to store something for someone) · sv vakta (to hold, grasp, or grip) · es bancar (wait a minute) · it attendere (wait a minute) · pl przetrzymać (to keep; to store something for someone) · tr tutmak (to keep; to store something for someone) · th ช้าก่อน (wait a minute) · it aspettare un attimo (wait a minute) · sv vänta (wait a minute) · it conservare (to keep; to store something for someone) · fr s'accrocher (to hold, grasp, or grip) · pl czekać (wait a minute) · de festhalten (to hold, grasp, or grip) · nl vasthouden (to hold, grasp, or grip) · tr saklamak (to keep; to store something for someone) · ru подождать (wait a minute) · hu kapaszkodik (to hold, grasp, or grip) · sv hålla (to hold, grasp, or grip) · hu vár (egy kicsit: a minute) (wait a minute) · es aguantar (wait a minute) · cmn 且慢 (wait a minute)