hold on

What does "hold on" mean?

1. To wait for a short time
2. To grip something tightly
3. To continue in a difficult situation
4. To keep something in your possession

Examples

• Hold on a moment; I'll be right with you.
• Hold on tight! The roller coaster is about to start.
• Just hold on a bit longer; help is coming.
• She managed to hold on to her job despite the layoffs.
• Can you hold on? I need to check something.

How to use it

'Hold on' is very common on the phone to ask someone to wait. 'Hold on to' something means to keep possession or grip it. Very versatile everyday phrasal verb.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• hold up

  To delay or slow down something

• hold back

  To prevent someone or something from advancing

• hold off

  To delay doing something

• hold out

  To resist or survive in a difficult situation

• hold down

  To keep something at a low level

• hold together

  To remain in one piece without breaking