hold hard
To stubbornly resist assault, pressure or opposition, either physically or mentallyTo stubbornly resist assault, pressure or opposition, either physically or mentally.
Meaning
3 senses(figuratively, idiomatic)To stubbornly resist assault, pressure or opposition, either physically or mentally.
A formal command to a ship's crew to grasp and hold on to a solid fitting, such as ropes or rails, to avoid being swept overboard, especially during a storm.
All hands...hold hard!
(UK, dated, figuratively, imperative, often)To stop suddenly and remain still.
Hold hard: here come the sheep.
Origin
A verbal phrase composed of the words: hold ("grasp", "grip") and hard ("resistantly", "reA verbal phrase composed of the words: hold ("grasp", "grip") and hard ("resistantly", "resolutely", "solidly", "steadfastly").
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
holds hard, holding hard, held hard, held hard| Base form | hold hard · to hold hard |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | holds hard |
| Present participle | holding hard |
| Past simple | held hard |
| Past participle | held hard |
irregular · Lesson
Synonyms
6 synonymsAntonyms
3 antonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle
See also
neighbours in the dictionaryDictionary text adapted from Wiktionary (Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet / Princeton WordNet (CC BY 4.0, WordNet License); shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and recordings are credited where they appear.