- take hold
- verb1. assume control (Freq. 3)• Syn: ↑take charge, ↑take control• Hyponyms: ↑move in on• Verb Frames:-
Something ——s
-Somebody ——s
-Somebody ——s PP
2. have or hold in one's hands or grip (Freq. 2)-Hold this bowl for a moment, please
-A crazy idea took hold of him
• Syn: ↑hold• Hyponyms:↑grasp, ↑hold on, ↑cling to, ↑hold close, ↑hold tight, ↑clutch, ↑cradle, ↑clinch, ↑lock, ↑interlock, ↑interlace, ↑trap• Verb Frames:-Somebody ——s something
-Somebody ——s somebody
-Something ——s somebody
-Something ——s something
-Somebody ——s
-Something is ——ing PP
-Somebody ——s PP
* * *
phrasal1.take hold of a railing
took hold and hung on tight
b. : to establish a hold on or overfelt hate take hold of my whole body — Edita Morris
a second conviction took hold of him — T.B.Costain
story … takes hold of a reader from the first — Walter Havighurst
c. : to assume management or control : take in hand and deal with : take chargethere was a new overseer … and he was taking hold, fast — Laura Krey
women who take hold of things and aren't afraid of work — Ellen Glasgow
administration fails to take hold of and solve the big problems — F.D.Roosevelt
: take effect : catch ontheory took hold because the future was with it — W.P.Webb
idea … does not seem to have taken hold very widely — Elmer Davis
* * *
take hold phraseto become stronger and difficult to stopThey were fortunate to escape before the fire took hold.
Thesaurus: to continue without stoppingsynonymMain entry: hold* * *
start to have an effectthe reforms of the late nineteenth century had taken hold
* * *
take hold (or chiefly US take a hold): to become effective, established, or popularThe change in the law has not yet taken hold.
new ideas that have recently taken hold in the fashion industry
• • •Main Entry: ↑hold
Useful english dictionary. 2012.