Hold on to Meaning in English
expression
ˈhoʊɫd/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
HOHLD-awn-too, HOHLD-awhn-too, HOHLD-awn-tuh, HOHLD-awhn-tuh, HOHLD-awn-tih, HOHLD-awhn-tih
hˈəʊld/ /ˈɒn/ /tˈuː
HOHLD-on-TOO
Definition
To keep something firmly, either literally by holding it in your hands or figuratively by not letting go of an idea, feeling, or object.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly informal. Used for both physical ("hold on to the rail") and abstract ("hold on to hope") ideas. Often confused with simply "hold"; "hold on to" emphasizes keeping or not letting go. Common collocations: 'hold on to your hat', 'hold on to memories'.
Spanish: aferrarse a - guardar - conservarPortuguese (BR): segurar - manter - guardarPortuguese (PT): agarrar - manter - guardarChinese (Simplified): 紧抓 - 保留 - 坚持Chinese (Traditional): 緊抓 - 保留 - 堅持Hindi: पकड़े रहना - संभालनाArabic: يتمسك بـ - يحتفظ بـBengali: ধরে রাখা - আঁকড়ে ধরাRussian: удерживать - держаться заJapanese: しっかり持つ - 手放さないVietnamese: giữ chặt - giữ lấyKorean: 꽉 쥐다 - 간직하다Turkish: sıkı tutmak - bırakmamakUrdu: سنبھال کر رکھنا - مضبوطی سے پکڑناIndonesian: memegang erat - tetap menyimpan
Example Sentences
Hold on to the handrail when you use the stairs.
basic
She likes to hold on to old photos.
basic
Please hold on to your ticket until the end of the ride.
basic
It's hard to hold on to hope when things get tough.
natural
I still hold on to the advice my teacher gave me years ago.
natural
Just hold on to that thought—we’ll come back to it later.
natural