informal

if something gives you a shot in the arm, it gives you encouragement or energy.

The opening of a new research centre will give a much-needed shot in the arm for science in Britain.

• hold feet to the fire
• hold fire
• hold forth
• hold good
• hold ground
• hold hand
• hold head high
• hold head up high
• hold horses
• Hold horses!
• hold in check
• hold it
• hold its own
• hold off
• hold off something
• hold on
• hold on for dear life
• hold on like grim death
• hold onto
• hold on to for dear life
• hold on to someone for dear life
• hold onto something
• be as deaf as a post
• be as dry as a bone
• be as dull as dishwater