hold on

The phrase "hold on" can mean to grip something firmly, to wait briefly, or to persist in challenging situations.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

A2General

(common)To grip something firmly, often to prevent falling or losing it.

Example

She held on to the handrail as the train started moving.
Make sure to hold on tight to the rope.

A2Conversation

(informal)To wait or pause briefly.

Example

Hold on a minute, I'll be right back.
Can you hold on while I find a pen?

B1Persistence

(common)To continue despite difficulties or challenges.

Example

They managed to hold on until help arrived.
If you hold on, things will get better.

Similar

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

hold onto hang on hold to hold in hold tight hold with hold it hold the phone hold down hang tight hold up hold over on hold hold off hold it in hold onto your hat wait up hold it down wait on hold together take hold hold out hold my beer lay hold of steady on stand by stay on keep on hang upon hang one on wait a minute hold the fort hang ten hold back holding pattern cling to get hold of hold time hold one's piss hold the ring wait for hold one's pee stand on hold one's breath hold the stage just a second go on hung up hang about hung up on