How to Pronounce "hold for ransom"
expression
HOHLD fer RAN-suhm
HOHLD faw RAN-suhm
Definition
To keep someone prisoner and demand money or something else in exchange for their release.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈhoʊɫd/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ/ /ˈɹænsəm
British English
hˈəʊld/ /fˈɔː/ /ɹˈænsəm
Simplified Pronunciation
US
HOHLD fer RAN-suhm
UK
HOHLD faw RAN-suhm
Listen in Context
The robbers held the family for ransom.
Hackers hold files for ransom until you pay them.
Criminals sometimes hold people for ransom in kidnapping cases.
They threatened to hold his pet for ransom unless he paid.