What does it mean if you hold something?

Asked by: Myrtle Altenwerth  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (60 votes)

To "hold" something means to keep it in your grasp (hands/arms), possess it, support it, restrain it, contain it, or keep it in a certain state, but it can also mean to reserve something (like a room), have a job/office, or even to believe something, with the exact meaning depending heavily on the context, like holding a baby, holding a meeting, holding a grudge, or holding your breath.

What does "hold something" mean?

to bear, sustain, or support, as with the hands or arms, or by any other means. to keep in a specified state, relation, etc.. The preacher held them spellbound.

What do you call it when you hold something?

Grasp or grab can be used when someone suddenly reaches out and holds something.

What does Ott mean in slang?

In slang, OTT primarily means "over the top," indicating something excessive, exaggerated, or beyond normal limits, used informally in the UK and elsewhere. However, in different youth/street cultures, especially in rap and German contexts, "Ott" (often spelled with one 't') can also slang for cannabis (weed), derived from the Turkish word for herb/weed.
 

What is the meaning of holding things?

Definitions of holding. the act of retaining something. synonyms: keeping, retention.

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What is holding in psychology?

Transposing the qualities of maternal care to the therapeutic relationship, 'holding' can be seen as the conceptualising of the therapist's role of safe guarding the continuity of the client's experience of being and becoming over time.

What word means to hold something?

hold

  • arrest carry detain enjoy have imprison keep maintain occupy own seize take.
  • adhere bind catch check cherish clasp cleave clench clinch cling clutch confine contain cradle embrace enclose fondle grip handle hug nourish palm possess press restrain retain secure squeeze stick trammel vise wield withhold wring.

What does "OTT" stand for?

OTT (over-the-top) is a means of providing television and film content over the internet at the request and to suit the requirements of the individual consumer. The term itself stands for “over-the-top”, which implies that a content provider is going over the top of existing internet services.

What does HT mean on Snapchat?

The acronym H/T (also sometimes used without the diagonal slash) means hat tip, or tip of the hat—a way of recognizing the original source of a meme, expression, image, or idea on social media.

What does "otw" stand for in slang?

In text messages, OTW primarily means "On The Way," indicating someone is en route to a destination or person, signaling they're coming soon. Less commonly, it can also mean "Off The Wall" (unconventional) or "Off To Work," but "On The Way" is the dominant usage for updating someone on your travel status. 

What does holding mean with drugs?

Example 1: Suspected Drug Trafficking

Instead, they might file a holding charge for simple possession of marijuana. This illustrates a holding charge because the minor possession charge allows authorities to legally detain the suspect.

Is it correct to say "I gat you"?

Yes, "I got you" is grammatically acceptable and very common in informal English to mean "I understand you," "I'll help you," or "I'll cover for you," functioning like "I've got you" (present perfect) or "I have your back," but it's technically the past tense of "get" (meaning "caught" or "obtained") used idiomatically. While "I've got you" might be considered more "proper," "I got you" is perfectly natural and widely used by native speakers for quick assurances, even if it's technically a past tense in an ongoing situation. 

What does "hold it" mean in slang?

If you say ' Hold it', you are telling someone to stop what they are doing and to wait.

What is hold slang for?

In slang, "hold" often means to borrow something, especially money or drugs (e.g., "Lemme hold a dollar," "Can I hold some weed?"), or it's used in phrases like "hold up" meaning "wait" or "stop," or to question something suspicious, or "hold my calls/place" for a temporary delay. It can also refer to possessing something illicit (drugs for sale) or, in a social context, to "hold" someone's attention or "hold court". 

What is the history of using "hold" on a phone?

But it has a very uncommon history. In 1962, a man named Albert Levy filed for a patent for a “telephone hold program system.” Observing that customers of phone services could have more than one incoming call, Levy developed a way to keep one caller occupied while the needs of the other was addressed.

What is the 3 form of hold?

The three main forms (V1, V2, V3) of the irregular verb "hold" are hold (base/present), held (past simple), and held (past participle). Other key forms include the third-person singular holds (he/she/it holds) and the present participle holding (e.g., I am holding).
 

What does h * t mean in texting?

In texting and online, HT or H/T almost always means "hat tip," used to give credit or thanks to someone who shared information, a link, or an idea, like saying "I tip my hat to you" for pointing something out. While less common, context could also mean "Home Time" when someone is leaving, but the "hat tip" meaning is dominant in social media and blogging, according to Social Tradia and Merriam-Webster. 

How do I respond to "HMB" in a text?

How to Reply When Someone Says HMB

  1. “Sure, I'll message you soon.”
  2. “Okay, will do.”
  3. “Got it! I'll HMB in a bit.”
  4. “No problem, talk soon.”

What does 4 4 mean in text?

4+4. Means the person “8” (ate). They did good, they are awesome. 2C4U. Too cool for you.

What is OTT vs OTA?

The way we consume media has evolved dramatically over the years, with two prominent technologies leading the charge: Over-The-Top (OTT) and Over-The-Air (OTA). While both serve the purpose of delivering content to viewers, they differ significantly in their approach infrastructure and user experience.

Why is it called over-the-top?

"Over The Top or OTT, likely derived its name from the fact that before its inception, all delivery systems for cinema and similar forms of entertainment, be it films, short films, documentaries, or game shows, were accessed through television, theatres, or by playing cassettes at home.

Is OTT good or bad?

OTT gives the flexibility to watch the content at any time from anywhere. Working professionals who do not have time for watching movies or shows. They favour it because they can watch the content at any time.

How is "holds" used in a sentence?

Holds Sentence Examples. Besides, this place holds terrible memories for me. You have no idea what kind of magic it holds. This system still holds good.

What is the slang word for hold up?

In slang, "hold up" most commonly means "wait a moment" or "pause," like saying "Hold up, what did you just say?" or asking someone to stop what they're doing. It can also mean to delay something, as in "The traffic held us up," or, in its noun form "holdup," refer to a robbery, usually at gunpoint. Additionally, it can mean to cope or survive, as in "How are you holding up?" or to be effective/true, as in "Does that theory hold up?".