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Part 2 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
on tooutout forup

hold + on to · 1 of 4

hold on to

keep something and not give or sell it to anyone else

  • hold on to sth

to keep something and not let anyone else have it, often because it is valuable or important to you.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I think I'll hold on to my old phone for a bit longer.

A: Are you going to sell your bike?
B: No, I want to hold on to it for now.

Common mistake

Not: You should hold on it.

Say: You should hold on to it.

This sense needs 'to' — 'hold ON TO something'.

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

Another example

If I won a large amount of money, I would probably hold on to most of it instead of spending it right away.

Tell it apart

Hold on to the receipt.

  • keep it

Hold on to the rail.

  • grip it physically

Goes with

  • hold on to + thing
Practice saying this
Next: hold out

hold + out · 2 of 4

hold out

to last or survive in a difficult situation

  • hold out for sth

to continue to exist, stay strong, or not give up when things are tough or resources are running out.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

We only have enough food to hold out for another two days.

A: Do you think your laptop battery will hold out until the end of the meeting?
B: I hope so, but it's already pretty low.

Common mistake

Not: Our supplies held on for a week.

Say: Our supplies held out for a week.

For supplies or resistance lasting, use 'hold out' (not 'hold on', which is wait/grip).

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

Another example

During the flood, the villagers had to hold out for a week before help arrived.

Tell it apart

Our water held out for three days.

  • lasted

They held out for a better offer.

  • refused to settle

Goes with

  • hold out
Practice saying this
Next: hold out for

hold + out for · 3 of 4

hold out for

wait until you get what you want

  • hold out for sth

To refuse to accept less than what you want, and keep waiting until you get it.

How oftenNow and then
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She decided to hold out for a better job offer instead of accepting the first one.

A: Did you buy the car you saw last week?
B: No, I'm holding out for a better deal.

Common mistake

Not: He's holding out a higher salary.

Say: He's holding out for a higher salary.

Don't drop 'for' — 'hold out FOR what you want'.

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

Another example

In my opinion, it's sometimes wise to hold out for the right opportunity rather than rushing into a decision.

Tell it apart

She held out for a higher offer.

  • waited, refusing less

She held on for a few more minutes.

  • endured / waited a bit longer

Goes with

  • hold out for
Practice saying this
Next: hold up

hold + up · 4 of 4

hold up

delay

  • hold sb/sth up

To cause someone or something to be late or to slow down.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Sorry I'm late—the traffic really held me up this morning.

A: Why are you so late?
B: There was an accident on the road that held everyone up.

Common mistake

Not: Sorry, I don't want to hold up you.

Say: Sorry, I don't want to hold you up.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle — 'hold you up', not 'hold up you'.

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

Another example

If public transport is unreliable, it can hold up commuters and make them late for work or school.

Tell it apart

An accident held up the traffic.

  • delayed it

Two men held up the bank.

  • robbed it

Goes with

  • hold up + person/thing
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 on tohold outhold out forhold up