I held the child at an arm's length until he could be calmed.
•The police held the crowd at a distance from the injured man.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
hold (someone) to (something) — to make someone act on a promise or agreement. They re holding him to the exact terms of the contract … New idioms 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 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's attention — hold someone’s attention/interest/ phrase to keep someone interested in something It’s hard to hold their attention for more than 15 minutes. Thesaurus: to make someone feel excited, enthusiastic or impressedsynonym Main entry: hold … Useful english dictionary
hold someone's interest — hold someone’s attention/interest/ phrase to keep someone interested in something It’s hard to hold their attention for more than 15 minutes. Thesaurus: to make someone feel excited, enthusiastic or impressedsynonym Main entry: hold … Useful english dictionary
hold someone to ransom — hold (someone) to ransom to force someone to do something by putting them in a situation where something bad will happen to them if they do not. Some people regarded the miners strike as the union holding the nation to ransom … New idioms dictionary
hold someone in high esteem — hold someone in high esteem/regard/ phrase to admire or respect someone very much Thesaurus: to respect someone or something, and to show respectsynonym Main entry: hold … Useful english dictionary
hold someone in high regard — hold someone in high esteem/regard/ phrase to admire or respect someone very much Thesaurus: to respect someone or something, and to show respectsynonym Main entry: hold … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/thing harmless Law — indemnify someone or something. → hold … English new terms dictionary
hold someone's hand — hold (someone s) hand to support someone when they are doing something difficult or frightening by being with them. I m dreading giving that talk. You ll be all right. I ll be there to hold your hand … New idioms dictionary
hold someone responsible — hold someone responsible/accountable/liable/ phrase to believe that someone is responsible for something Thesaurus: to criticize, accuse or blamesynonym words used to describe criticismhyponym Main entry … Useful english dictionary
