Hold sth down Meaning / Examples / How to Use

What Does “Hold sth down” Mean?

“Hold sth down” is a phrasal verb that means to keep something under control, to keep something in place, or to maintain a position or situation.

Introduction

The phrase “hold sth down” is commonly used in English to describe the action of keeping something stable or controlled. It often refers to physically holding an object in place or metaphorically maintaining control over a job, situation, or responsibility. Understanding the “hold sth down” meaning helps learners use it correctly in both everyday conversations and formal contexts. Whether you want to say you are managing your work or physically pressing something down, this phrasal verb is very versatile and useful.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: hold something down
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To keep something in place or control a situation

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Hold sth down” is a separable phrasal verb, which means you can place the object either between “hold” and “down” or after the phrasal verb.

• hold something down
• hold down something

Examples:

• She held the paper down with her hand.
• He tried to hold down the job while studying.

How to Use “Hold sth down”?

This phrasal verb can be used in different contexts:

• Physical action: To keep an object firmly in place.
• Control or manage: To maintain control over a situation, job, or responsibility.
• Prevent or restrict: To stop something from rising or increasing.

Using “hold sth down” correctly depends on the context, so pay attention to whether it refers to physical holding or abstract control.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “hold sth down in a sentence”:

• Can you hold the ladder down while I climb up?
• She works hard to hold down two jobs at the same time.
• The government is trying to hold down inflation to protect the economy.
• They held the boat down during the storm to prevent it from drifting away.
• It’s difficult to hold down a job when you are always traveling.

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the position of the object or misuse the phrase in the wrong context. Here are some common errors and their corrections:

• Incorrect: She holds down hard the papers.
  Correct: She holds the papers down firmly.
• Incorrect: I can’t hold down my stress.
  Correct: I can’t keep my stress under control (better to say “manage my stress”).
• Incorrect: They are holding down in the problem.
  Correct: They are trying to hold down the problem (meaning control or manage it).

Differences / Synonyms

“Hold sth down” is similar to other phrasal verbs like “keep sth under control,” “hold on to,” and “hold back,” but they have distinct uses.

• Hold on to: Focuses on keeping possession or continuing with something.
• Hold back: Means to restrain or stop something from happening.
• Keep under control: Similar to “hold down,” but more formal and often used for situations.

Unlike “hold back,” which implies stopping or delaying, “hold sth down” usually means maintaining or stabilizing.

Common Collocations

Here are common objects and contexts paired with “hold sth down”:

• Hold a job down: Maintain employment.
• Hold a position down: Keep a role or job.
• Hold the paper down: Physically prevent paper from moving.
• Hold down a button: Press and keep a button pressed.
• Hold down inflation: Prevent inflation from rising.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of hold sth down:

• Hold Onto Sb
• Hold Sth Off
• Hold Out For Sth
• Hold With Sth
• Hold Sth To Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation showing “hold sth down” in a natural context:

Anna: Can you hold the door down while I carry these boxes?

Ben: Sure, no problem.

Anna: Also, I’m trying to hold down my part-time job while studying full-time. It’s tough!

Ben: I understand. Balancing both is not easy, but you’re doing great.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences with the correct form of “hold sth down”:

• She needs to ________ her job until she finishes college.
• Could you ________ the paper ________ so it doesn’t fly away?
• The government tries to ________ inflation to help the economy.
• It’s hard to ________ a full-time job and study at the same time.

FAQs

• Q: Can “hold sth down” be used for emotions?
  A: Yes, it can mean controlling or managing emotions, but other verbs like “control” or “manage” are more common.
• Q: Is “hold sth down” always separable?
  A: Yes, you can place the object between “hold” and “down” or after the phrasal verb.
• Q: Can “hold sth down” refer to jobs?
  A: Yes, it often means to keep or maintain a job or position.
• Q: What is the opposite of “hold sth down”?
  A: To lose control or to let something go.
• Q: Is “hold sth down” formal or informal?
  A: It is neutral and can be used in both spoken and written English.