Collocation Dictionary

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Common collocations with hostage in American Collocation

hostage noun countable

US /ˈhɑstɪdʒ/

take or hold a hostage

hold someone
keep someone
take someone

The U.S. did not publish the fact that an American citizen had been taken hostage.

release or rescue a hostage

free
release
rescue

After 9 months, the hostage was released.

kill a hostage

execute
kill
shoot

If the demands are not met, the hostages are usually executed.

person

negotiator
taker

One further crew member remains in the hands of the hostage takers.

act or situation

crisis
drama
negotiation
rescue
situation
taking

As in any hostage situation, you have to be careful not to encourage hostage- taking.