hold one's water

idiom physiology

The phrase "hold one's water" has both literal and idiomatic meanings, commonly used in contexts requiring self-control or patience.

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Definition

B2General

(idiomatic, informal)To be patient or to control one's impulses.

Example

He had to hold his water and wait for his turn to speak.
She held her water despite the frustrating situation.

B1Physiology

(dated, informal)To restrain the urge to urinate.

Example

During the long meeting, he had to hold his water until it ended.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hold one's water":

hold one's piss hold one's pee hold one's breath hold in take on water hold to hold with hold it in hold one's fire hold over hold back hold it hold onto take water hold off hold one's nose tread water hold down hold one's jaw hold out hold tight sit on one's hands hold the fort make water