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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

hold yew hard en · X

Etymology

References holding a horse's reins to keep it still. In this phrase, yew is an eye dialect spelling of you.

Meanings

  1. (Norfolk, idiomatic, imperative) Wait for a moment. Be patient.
    • He held up his hand in defence. "Hold yew hard, Mr Challiss; hear me out afore yew blow me 'ead orf. […]" 2010, J. A. Noble, The Lime Walk, →ISBN, page 472:
    • "Hold yew hard," Sweetnin' adjured him, "while I get that there little step-ladder." 1933, Ralph Hale Mottram, The Lame Dog, page 273:
    • "Hold yew hard," said old Joe. "Will a hunnerd pounds hurt ye for the passage? We might make that a feeshin' in the time." 1909, James Blyth, A Bid for Loyalty, page 60:
    • Mum flew at her sister like a tiger. 'Hold yew hard!' she bawled, spit coming out of her mouth. 'What dew yew mean by layin' inter that child like that? 'E in't dewin' yew no 'arm. Yew always was a spiteful bitch! Yew c'n git out a' my 'ouse, quick as yew like, or I'll fist yew one in the snout!' 1986, Audrey Whiting, Gal Audrey, page 24:

Relateds

hold on · hang on · hold one's horses