American Dictionary

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Definition hold down in American English

hold down phrasal verb

[transitive] phrasal verb
1

to hold someone who is lying down, so that they cannot move

Example

Four people held him down.

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2

to hold something so it does not move upward

Example

They put a cloth on the grass and stones on the edge to hold it down.

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3

to stop prices or numbers from rising

Example

a deal to hold down wages and prices

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4

to succeed in keeping a job

Example

Half of them have never held down a regular job.

5

to prevent something from developing, or to prevent someone from doing what they want

Example

She proved that just being a woman wouldn't hold her down.

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6

to stop someone from having their freedom or rights

Example

The regime had been holding down its people for years.

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Definition hold down in American English