hold down

The phrase "hold down" is versatile, used in contexts ranging from maintaining control to keeping a job or restraining movement.

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Definition

B2General

(informal)To keep something at a low level or under control.

Example

Please hold down the noise so that the neighbors can sleep.
The rate of inflation must be held down.

B2Employment

(informal)To successfully keep a job or position for a significant period.

Example

He was unable to hold down a job after his breakdown.
She managed to hold down her position despite the challenges.

B2Physical Restraint

(general)To physically restrain someone or something by applying force.

Example

It took three men to hold him down.
They had to hold down the tent in the strong wind.

C1Socio-political

(formal)To suppress or limit the freedom, rights, or progress of someone or something.

Example

The people are held down by a repressive regime.
The new policies are designed to hold down dissent.

C1Technical

(technical)A device or mechanism used to fasten an object in place.

Example

The hold-down clamp prevented the metal sheet from moving.
Make sure the hold-down is secure before starting the machine.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hold down":

hold it down hold in hold to hold with hold it hold onto hold it in press down hold over hold on hold the phone hold tight hold together take hold keep down pin down hold back lay hold of fasten down key down hang on on hold hold up tie down hang tight hold the ring bite down hold the fort hold one's piss hold time pull down hold off hold onto your hat hold one's pee weigh down put down get hold of hold one's jaw lock down hold the stage hold one's water hold out lock on stick down drag down cling to hold good hold hostage hold one's breath death grip tamp down press button steady on holding pattern