hold down — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings

hold down

1keep a job 2suppress forcibly

Meaning 1 · most common

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 “keep a job”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 meaning: suppress forcibly

Meaning 2

suppress forcibly

hold down sth sth

to prevent something such as opposition, emotion, or unrest from developing or being expressed, often by using force, authority, or pressure.

How oftenRare

LevelC2

Used inMostly written

Examples

The government tried to hold down dissent by restricting access to social media.

A: Why haven't we heard more protests about the policy?
B: The authorities have really held down any public opposition.

Common mistake

Not: They held down on the rebellion.

Say: They held down the rebellion.

'Hold down + thing' directly — no 'on'.

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

Another example

Some argue that attempts to hold down public anger can ultimately lead to greater unrest in the long term.

Tell it apart

Tight policing held down the unrest.

suppressed it

He could barely hold down a job.

keep it

Goes with

hold down

Practice saying this

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keep a job suppress forcibly