hold something up— 1. support smth. physically; bear the weight of smth.: We couldn’t hold up the fence, and it finally fell over. 2. (of prices, etc.) cause to remain high: Efforts were made to hold up the price by again cutting production. 3. stop or delay smth.; make smth. late: A heavy storm in […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Hold something out on someone and Hold something out to someone
hold something out on someone—keep a secret or news from a person: What’s going on? Are you holding something out on me? hold something out to someone—offer smth. to a person: I held out an offer of immunity to prosecution to her, but she would not cooperate.
Difference between Hold something on and Keep something on
hold something on—secure smth.; keep smth. in position: This big screw holds the lid of the box on. keep something on— 1. continue to possess smth.: We are still keeping on the house in France. 2. continue to wear or use smth.: In a church men take their hats off; in a synagogue, they keep […]
Difference between Hold something in hand and Hold something in the hand
hold something in hand— 1. keep smth. with the hand: Carter turned back and waved the chart he was holding in hand. 2. have smth. at one’s disposal; keep smth. in reserve: Father has decided to hold ￡500 in hand in case of a business emergency. hold something in the hand— = hold something in […]
Difference between Hold something in contempt and Hold something up to contempt
hold something in contempt—look down upon smth.; despise smth.: One of the worst things I could imagine was slavery and I had always held it in contempt. hold something up to contempt—cause smth. to be the object of contempt: He held up to contempt all that was mediocre in their art.
Difference between Hold something in and Keep something in
hold something in— 1. (of an animal) control or restrain: Your horse is trying to go too fast; you must hold him in. 2. control one’s emotions: It was impossible for the children to hold in their laughter any longer. keep something in— 1. retain smth. as part of a writing, performance, etc.: But that’s […]
Difference between Hold someone’s feet to the fire and Light a fire under someone
hold someone’s feet to the fire —(also: keep someone’s feet to the fire) pressure a person to undertake smth. (to make good on a promise, etc.): I’m not going to punch him in the nose, but can’t I hold his feet to the fire in a polite and gentle way? light a fire under someone—(also: […]
Difference between Hold someone up as an example and Make an example of someone
hold someone up as an example—point out smb. as a good example: I was embarrassed when the supervisor held me up as an example of good time-keeping. make an example of someone—punish a person severely as a warning to other people: It was decided to make an example of some of the top conspirators.
Difference between Hold someone up and Keep someone up
hold someone up— 1. support a person physically; hold smb. upright: It took both of us to hold up the old man. 2. rob smb. using violence or threats: In Japan you won’t need to worry too much about being held up in the street and being robbed of your passport. 3. (hyperbolic) overcharge a […]
Difference between Hold out and Keep out
hold out— 1. (of food supplies, etc.) remain available; last: We have to cut our rations to try to make the food hold out till succor comes. 2. (of perishable products) remain fit for consumption or use: How long could the food hold out without refrigeration? 3. refuse to yield or submit: If we could […]
Difference between Hold one’s water and Hold water
hold one’s water— 1. contain one’s urine: Eight hours is a long time to hold one’s water…. It is a comfort to know that one can if really necessary get access. 2. (U.S. sl.; imper.) be patient; stop making repeated requests: “Pass over them glasses will you?” “Just hold your water sailor, you’ll get your […]
Difference between Hold one’s head down and Keep one’s head down
hold one’s head down—(also: hang one’s head down) let one’s head fall forward, usually when feeling sad or ashamed of oneself: This man was drinking booze and holding his head down in despair. He knew that he had wasted a lot of his life… keep one’s head down— 1. = hold one’s head down: When […]