hold a grudge
To harbor persistent and continual resentment or ill feelings toward someone, especially for some slight or wrongdoing he or she has committed in the past. Johnny has been holding a grudge against me since we were 12 because I embarrassed him in front of a girl he liked. Samantha is just so forgiving—I don't think she's ever held a grudge in her life!
leave (someone) holding the baby
To foist responsibility or guilt for something on someone else; to allow someone else to take the blame for something. Primarily heard in UK. My partner had been cooking the books for years, and he left me holding the baby when the business collapsed.
be left holding the bag
To have responsibility or guilt for something foisted upon oneself; to take the blame for something. Primarily heard in US. My partner had been cooking the books for years, but I was left holding the bag when the business collapsed.
hold the reins
To have or be in control, especially of a group, project, or situation. Though my grandfather was the breadwinner, it was my grandmother who truly held the reins in their house. The boss decided she'd hold the reins on this project after the assistant manager bungled the last one so badly.
hold the ring
To monitor or control a conflict or dispute, especially in a neutral or uninvolved manner. Primarily heard in UK. Working in HR, my job is to hold the ring between employees who have a problem, rather than involve myself directly in it.
hold with the hare and run with the hounds
1. To support or attempt to placate both sides of a conflict or dispute. Many have criticized the US government of holding with the hare and running with the hound regarding the territorial dispute between the two nations.
2. To act duplicitously or hypocritically; to speak or act out against something while engaging or taking part in it. How can you be taken seriously as an anti-drug reformer when extensive documents reveal that you are a frequent user of methamphetamine? You can't hold with the hare and run with the hound, Senator.
in a holding pattern
1. Literally, of an aircraft, in a continuous, generally circular flight pattern over an airport, as while awaiting clearance to land. Due to a security breach in the airport, our plane was kept in a holding pattern for nearly 45 minutes.
2. In a state or condition of inactivity or stagnancy, leading to little or no change, advancement, or development. Relying solely on derivative sequels, many feel that the video game company has been in a holding pattern in recent years.
hold fast
1. To remain securely adhered (to something). I didn't think the makeshift weld would do the trick, but I'm happy to say that it's holding fast.
2. To remain determined, stalwart, and unyielding, as in one's position or opinion. Though it may be hard, we must hold fast in our pledge to environmental reform.
hold firm
1. To remain securely adhered (to something). I didn't think the makeshift weld would do the trick, but I'm happy to say that it's holding firm.
2. To remain determined, stalwart, and unyielding, as in one's position or opinion. Though it may be hard, we must hold firm in our pledge to environmental reform.
not hold still for (something)
To not accept, tolerate, endure, or put up with something. I won't hold still for Jonathan's infidelity anymore: I'm filing for divorce tomorrow! The people of this country will not hold still for the persecution administered by the despots and corrupt politicians in government.
hold a wolf by the ears
To be in a difficult situation from which it is as dangerous to extricate oneself as it is to remain in it. I'm afraid we're holding a wolf by the ears regarding our current healthcare system. It would be unthinkable to completely overhaul it, but it is dangerously untenable in its current condition. The authoritarian regime is holding the wolf by the ears with the way it treats the population.
hold an eel by the tail
To try to engage or somehow detain an elusive person or thing. Trying to get in touch with my insurance company is like trying to holding an eel by the tail—I can never get through to a live person! Every time we try to pin charges on the mob boss, it's as hard as holding an eel by the tail because he somehow weasels his way out of them!
hold (all) the cards
To be in a position of power or control over someone or something else. The phrase alludes to having the best cards in a card game (which would lead to victory). Now that Charlotte knows about us, she holds all the cards—I imagine it won't be long until she tells my wife what she saw. I saw my brother break the vase, so I hold the cards right now and can get him to do anything I want.
holding pattern
1. Literally, of an aircraft, a continuous, generally circular flight pattern over an airport, as while awaiting clearance to land. Due to a security breach in the airport, our plane was kept in a holding pattern for nearly 45 minutes.
2. A state or condition of inactivity or stagnancy, leading to little or no change, advancement, or development. Relying solely on derivative sequels, many feel that the video game company has been in a holding pattern in recent years