hold on
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle on
Meanings
Wait, especially briefly
Why “on”? Sliding forward along the surface. Motion that keeps going on and on.
“Hold on, I'm coming.”
“Hold on, the lift is almost here.”
“Hold on, I'm almost ready.”
Grip something tightly to avoid falling
Why “on”? Something touches, grips, or sticks to a surface.
“Hold on to the rope.”
“Hold on to the handle during the ride.”
“Hold on to my arm on the steps.”
Endure or persist through difficulty
“Just hold on a little longer.”
“Hold on until the doctor arrives.”
Don't confuse with
Hold on means wait, especially briefly. Hold off means delay doing something.
Test yourself
“Hold on, I'm coming.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hold off
A contrast learners often mix up
Delay doing something
bring on
Same on pattern: continuation
Cause something, especially an illness or feeling, to start; Help someone or something develop or improve
call on
Same on pattern: continuation
Ask someone to do something formally
carry on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue doing something; Behave in a silly, loud or annoying way; Have a romantic affair, often secretly
catch on
Same on pattern: continuation
Become popular or fashionable; Begin to understand something
come on
Same on pattern: continuation
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone; Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather; Start working or be turned on; Make progress or improve; Try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone; Be broadcast on television or radio
crack on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue working hard, often after a break
drag on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue for too long in a tedious way
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “hold on”.
Practice “hold on” in Sink In
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