Meaning trap
hold down
suppress forcibly
to prevent something such as opposition, emotion, or unrest from developing or being expressed, often by using force, authority, or pressure.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to prevent something such as opposition, emotion, or unrest from developing or being expressed, often by using force, authority, or pressure.
'hold down' also has the more basic meaning 'keep a job'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The government tried to hold down dissent by restricting access to social media.
Some argue that attempts to hold down public anger can ultimately lead to greater unrest in the long term.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They held down on the rebellion.
Say: They held down the rebellion.
'Hold down + thing' directly — no 'on'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Hold down' naturally means keep something forcibly suppressed. The formal version is more journalistic.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
hold down
- opposition
- unrest
- dissent
- costs
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- hold down (keep a job) — 'hold down' also has the more basic meaning 'keep a job'; this is the advanced sense.