our return flight was held up for seven hours
a masked gunman held up the post office
they were held up to public ridicule
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
hold someone/something at ransom — hold someone/something at (or for) ransom hold someone prisoner and demand payment for their release ■ demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something at bay — I hold (or keep) someone/something at bay prevent someone or something from approaching or having an effect II see bay V … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something back — prevent or restrict the advance, progress, or development of someone or something Jane struggled to hold back her laughter ■ hold something back refuse or be unwilling to make something known you re not holding anything back from me, are you? … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something dear — CHERISH, treasure, prize, appreciate, value highly, care for/about, set great store by; informal put on a pedestal. → hold * * * care for or value someone or something greatly fidelity is something most of us hold dear … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something cheap — archaic have a low opinion of someone or something … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something harmless — Law indemnify someone or something … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something in contempt — consider someone or something to be unworthy of respect or attention the speed limit is held in contempt by many drivers … Useful english dictionary
hold someone dear — hold someone/something dear phrase to feel that someone or something is very important to you This government was a threat to everything he held dear. Thesaurus: to value something or someonesynonym Main entry: hold … Useful english dictionary
hold up something — hold up (someone/something) 1. to delay someone or something. Traffic was held up for several hours by the accident. Sorry to hold you up, but my train was late. 2. to try to steal from a person or place by using violence. Two masked men held up… … New idioms dictionary
hold someone in check — keep/hold/someone/something in check phrase to control someone or something that might cause damage or harm attempts to hold global warming in check Thesaurus: to limit or control something or someonesynonym Main entry: check … Useful english dictionary
