Hold on Meaning in English
expression
ˈhoʊɫd/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
HOHLD-ahn
hˈəʊld/ /ˈɒn
HOHLD-on
Definition
Used to ask someone to wait for a short time or to tell someone to keep going and not give up.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and very common in speech. Can mean 'wait' (especially on the phone) or 'don't give up'. Not used in very formal writing. Often followed by explanation: 'Hold on, I'm coming.'
Spanish: esperar - aguantarPortuguese (BR): esperar - aguentarPortuguese (PT): esperar - aguentarChinese (Simplified): 等一下 - 坚持Chinese (Traditional): 等一下 - 堅持Hindi: रुको - टिके रहनाArabic: انتظر - تمسكBengali: অপেক্ষা করো - ধরে রাখো (আত্মিক শক্তি)Russian: подожди - держисьJapanese: ちょっと待って - 踏ん張るVietnamese: chờ đã - cố lênKorean: 기다려 - 버티다Turkish: bekle - dayanUrdu: ذرا رکو - حوصلہ رکھوIndonesian: tunggu sebentar - bertahan
Example Sentences
Hold on a minute, please.
basic
Can you hold on while I get my keys?
basic
Just hold on and everything will be fine.
basic
Could you hold on? I need to take another call.
natural
If you hold on through tough times, you'll succeed.
natural
Hey, hold on—you dropped your wallet!
natural