Pearson Brown English Lesson - Phrasal Verb "hold"

In today’s lesson we are going to look at using the verb ‘to hold’ combined with particles. Here are some more of the most common expressions:

‘to hold back’ means to restrain or stop something working.

* High rates of tax are holding back economic growth.
* He could easily get promotion if he were more a team player. His attitude is holding him back.

‘to hold back’ can also mean to not say or do something.

* I wanted to tell him but something held me back.
* Although she didn’t agree, she held back and didn’t say anything.

‘to hold down’ means to stop something increasing.

* Government is trying to hold down public spending.
* We have to hold down costs if we want to increase our margins.

‘to hold down’ also means to keep a job even if it is difficult.

* There are lots of women who hold down high powered jobs and have children.
* She was holding down a very responsible position when she was only twenty-three.

‘to hold off’ means to delay doing something or delay making a decision about it.

* That house won’t be on the market very long. Don’t hold off making an offer.
* You can’t hold off much longer, you have to give him an answer.

‘to hold on’ means to wait for a short time.

* Let’s see if he arrives. We can hold on a couple of minutes.
* We can’t hold on much longer, we’re going to miss the train. We’ll have to go without him.

‘to hold on’ is used frequently on the phone to ask people to wait a few moments.

* I’ll just check that for you if you’d like to hold on.
* Could you hold on please while I see if he’s available?

‘to hold out’ means to put something in front of you.

* He was very formal. He held out his hand for me to shake it.
* She held out her glass so that I could refill it.

‘to hold out for’ means to wait for what you want and not accept less.

* They were on strike for a long time. Holding out for a 10% increase in salary.
* I think we should hold out for a better price. House prices are beginning to rise again.

‘to hold up’ means to delay something.

* The construction was held up by bad weather.
* Jim was late again. He got held up in heavy traffic on the motorway.

Exercises:

http://www.carolinebrownenglishlessons.com/holdphrasals/exercise1.html

http://www.carolinebrownenglishlessons.com/holdphrasals/exercise2.html

http://www.carolinebrownenglishlessons.com/holdphrasals/exercise3.html