hold together
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle together
Meanings
Stay calm when things are difficult
Why “together”? Scattered feelings are pulled together into one steady self.
“She held it together during the interview.”
“Nina held it together during the emergency call.”
Stay united, especially during difficulty
Why “together”? A group stays connected or cooperates as one unit.
“The family held together through the crisis.”
“The team held together after the early mistake.”
Stay joined, or keep separate parts joined
Why “together”? Separate pieces join to form one organised whole.
“Strong tape held the box together.”
“The old chair was barely holding together.”
Don't confuse with
Hold together means stay calm when things are difficult. Hold back means stop yourself from doing or saying something.
Test yourself
“She held it together during the interview.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hold back
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop yourself from doing or saying something; Prevent someone or something from progressing; Refuse to give information or feelings
come together
Same together pattern: joining
Combine or be assembled to form something whole; Unite to help or achieve a shared goal
get together
Same together pattern: joining
Meet socially; Collect or organize things; Regain control of yourself
go together
Same together pattern: together
(of two things) match or look good as a pair
keep together
Same together pattern: calm again
Continue to control your feelings
piece together
Same together pattern: joining
Understand a story or situation by combining small clues
pull together
Same together pattern: together
Work together as a group to achieve something; Calm down and regain self-control
put together
Same together pattern: joining
Assemble or organize; Combine things to form a whole
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