phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb
hold on
to wait briefly
What it means
To wait for a short time, often used to ask someone to pause, especially on the phone. It can also mean to physically grip something tightly so you don't fall or lose it.
Words like “hold on” are exactly the kind of vocabulary our English vocabulary size test measures — find out how many English words you know.
Examples
- Hold on a second, I'll get my coat and join you.
- Please hold on while I transfer your call to the manager.
- Hold on tight, the road gets very bumpy from here.
- She held on to the railing as she climbed the icy steps.
Where it comes from
Inseparable. Very common in spoken English; 'Hold on!' is also used as an exclamation meaning 'wait' or 'I don't agree, let me think'.
Related phrasal verbs
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