Hold with sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use in English

What Does “Hold with sth” Mean?

“Hold with sth” means to agree with or support a particular idea, belief, or practice. It is often used to express whether someone approves or disapproves of something.

Introduction

The phrase “hold with sth” is a useful English phrasal verb that expresses agreement or disagreement with an idea, opinion, or custom. Understanding the hold with sth meaning helps English learners communicate their views clearly. For example, if you say, “I don’t hold with cheating,” you mean you do not approve of cheating. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English, especially in British English. Using “hold with sth” adds variety to your language and helps you sound more natural when discussing opinions or beliefs.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal Verb: hold with sth (hold with something)
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short Meaning: to agree or approve of something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Hold with sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means the object (something) always follows the verb phrase and cannot be placed between “hold” and “with.”

• Correct: I don’t hold with lying.
• Incorrect: I don’t hold lying with.

Pattern: hold with + noun / noun phrase

How to Use “Hold with sth”?

You use “hold with sth” to express whether you support or disagree with an idea, habit, or belief. It is often used in negative sentences to show disapproval but can also be positive.

• Negative: I don’t hold with wasting time.
• Positive: She holds with traditional teaching methods.

It is commonly followed by nouns or noun phrases describing behaviors, ideas, or opinions.

Examples

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

• He doesn’t hold with rude behavior at work.
• Do you hold with the idea of working from home?
• My parents don’t hold with smoking inside the house.
• She holds with the belief that honesty is the best policy.
• We don’t hold with unnecessary rules in our team.

Common Mistakes

People often confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition. Remember, “hold with” is inseparable, so the object must come after the phrase.

• Incorrect: I hold it with strange.
• Correct: I don’t hold with strange ideas.
• Incorrect: She holds with it the opinion.
• Correct: She holds with the opinion that exercise is important.

Differences / Synonyms

“Hold with sth” is similar to “agree with” and “approve of,” but it often refers to beliefs or habits rather than facts or statements.

• Hold with sth: Focuses on approval or disapproval of ideas or customs.
• Agree with: Means to share the same opinion or feeling.
• Approve of: Means to officially accept or like something.

Example: I don’t hold with cheating. (I disapprove of cheating.)

But: I agree with your opinion. (I share your opinion.)

Common Collocations

People often use “hold with” with ideas, beliefs, habits, or practices. Here are some common collocations:

• hold with rules – support or reject certain rules
• hold with traditions – approve or disapprove of traditions
• hold with ideas – agree or disagree with ideas
• hold with behaviors – support or reject certain behaviors
• hold with customs – approve or disapprove of customs

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of hold with sth:

• Hold Sb Up
• Hold Onto Sb
• Hold Out On Sb
• Hold Sb Down
• Hold Sb Back

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “hold with sth”:

Anna: Do you hold with the idea of working late every day?

Ben: Not really. I think it’s important to have a work-life balance.

Anna: I agree. I don’t hold with working overtime unless it’s necessary.

Practice

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

1. I don’t __________ with people who lie to their friends.
2. She __________ with the idea of learning languages early.
3. Do you __________ with strict dress codes at work?
4. We __________ with wasting food in any situation.

FAQs

• What does “hold with sth” mean? It means to agree with or approve of an idea or practice.
• Is “hold with sth” positive or negative? It can be both, but it is often used in negative sentences to show disapproval.
• Can I separate “hold with” and the object? No, “hold with” is inseparable; the object must come after the phrase.
• Is “hold with sth” common in American English? It is more common in British English but understood in other varieties.
• What types of words follow “hold with”? Usually nouns or noun phrases expressing ideas, habits, or beliefs.