Part 1 of 2 · Same verb · different particle

“hold” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. “hold” has 8 of them, so they come in 2 parts. Learn these 4 one at a time, then test yourself.

8 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

hold

back down off

hold + back · 1 of 4

hold back

restrain emotion

hold back sth

to stop yourself from showing your feelings, especially strong emotions like anger, sadness, or excitement

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.

A: Are you okay? You look upset.
B: I'm fine, just trying to hold back my emotions.

Common mistake

Not: He held his ~~anger back inside.~~

Say: He held back his anger.

'Hold back + emotion'. 'Inside' is redundant.

More on “hold back”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In stressful situations, I sometimes find it hard to hold back my frustration, especially when things don't go as planned.

Tell it apart

She held back the tears.

restrained them

The injury held back his progress.

impeded it

Goes with

hold back + emotion

Practice saying this

Next: hold down

hold + down · 2 of 4

hold down

keep a job

hold down sth job

to manage to keep a job for a period of time, especially when it is difficult or challenging.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

It's impressive that she can hold down two jobs while studying full-time.

A: How's your brother doing these days?
B: He's finally holding down a steady job at the bank.

Common mistake

Not: She holds down ~~with~~ two jobs.

Say: She holds down two jobs.

'Hold down + job' directly — no 'with'.

More on “hold down”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's not easy to hold down a job and study at the same time, but many students have to do it to support themselves.

Tell it apart

He can't hold down a job.

keep it

They held down the protesters.

restrained by force

Goes with

hold down + a job

Practice saying this

Next: hold off

hold + off · 3 of 4

hold off

delay acting (especially making a decision or starting something)

hold off on sth

to deliberately wait before doing something, especially to delay making a decision or taking action, often because you are waiting for a better moment or more information.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

We decided to hold off on buying a new car until next year.

A: Are you going to accept the job offer?
B: I'm going to hold off for now and see if anything better comes up.

Common mistake

Not: Let's hold off ~~to buy~~ until the sale.

Say: Let's hold off on buying until the sale.

'Hold off ON + -ing', not 'hold off to + verb'.

More on “hold off”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's sometimes wise to hold off making a big decision until you've considered all your options.

Tell it apart

Let's hold off on booking.

delay the action

The rain held off all day.

didn't start

Goes with

hold off on + -ing

Practice saying this

Next: hold on

hold + on · 4 of 4

hold on

wait briefly

hold on for a moment/minute/second
informal

A scene showing “hold on” meaning “wait, don't go yet”.

to wait for a short time, often used when asking someone to pause or not to go ahead yet.

How oftenVery common

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Hold on, I'll check if he's in his office.

A: Can you give me the address?
B: Hold on, let me find it.

Common mistake

Not: Hold ~~on the line,~~ I'll get her.

Say: Hold on, I'll get her. / Hold the line, please.

Bare 'hold on' = wait; 'hold the line' is the phone-specific version (no 'on').

More on “hold on”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my last job, I often had to ask customers to hold on while I looked up their information.

Tell it apart

Hold on — I'll be right there.

wait a moment

Hold on tight!

grip firmly

Goes with

hold on + context

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “hold” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “hold” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

All of “hold”

8 phrasal verbs in 2 parts.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

hold back hold down hold off hold on