British

if a machine or system is Heath Robinson, it is very complicated in a way that is funny, but not practical or effective.

My granny's got this great Heath Robinson device for slicing eggs.

• hoist a few
• hoist with own petard
• hoist with your own petard
• hold against
• hold against someone
• hold a gun to head
• hold a gun to someone's head
• hold all the aces
• hold all the cards
• hold at arm's length
• hold back
• hold back from
• hold back from doing something
• hold breath
• hold court
• hold down
• hold down something
• hold end up
• hold feet to the fire
• hold fire
• hold forth
• hold good
• hold ground
• hold hand
• hold head high