hold of

(a)hold of (someone or something)

1. Literally, a grip on someone or something. The police officer got ahold of the suspect before he could run away. My sister had ahold of me at our mother's funeral to keep herself from breaking down in tears.
2. Successful contact and communication with someone. I wasn't able to get ahold of my brother over the weekend, I hope he's OK.
3. Total control, influence, or power over someone. Well, once corporations get ahold of a politician, it's easy to predict where that senator's or congressperson's interests will lie. Addiction seems to have completely gotten ahold of John.
4. Captivation of someone's attention, interest, or imagination. Her latest novel got ahold of me and didn't let go until I'd read it cover to cover.
See also: of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*(a)hold of someone or something

 
1. Lit. [get/have] a grasp of someone or something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; take ~.) I got hold of him and dragged him back from the edge just in time. I took ahold of his hand and held on tight.
2. Fig. [get/have] contact with someone or something; [get/have] the location of someone or something. (*Typically: get ~.) I got hold of a replacement part in Peoria. They are shipping it to us today. Try to get ahold of a plumber, would you?
3. Fig. [get/have] contact with someone or a group on the telephone. (*Typically: get ~.) I got hold of her just as she was going out the door. I was able to get ahold of the factory and cancel the order.
See also: hold, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (a)hold of (someone or something)
  • ahold
  • have (a)hold of (someone or something)
  • get ahold of (one)
  • rip (someone or something) to bits
  • rip apart
  • rip somebody/something apart/to shreds, bits, etc.
  • rip (someone or something) apart
  • ripping
  • rip to
References in classic literature
He did not cut it, but, rolling up his sleeves a little way, he laid hold of it, placed his heel against the ground, and, with one mighty pull, plucked the young tree up by the roots from out the very earth.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
"Catch hold of my arm or you'll drop him!" he heard one of the servants say in a frightened whisper.
War and Peace
The first that he came upon was the pummelled Don Quixote, who lay stretched senseless on his back upon his broken-down bed, and, his hand falling on the beard as he felt about, he continued to cry, "Help for the Jurisdiction!" but perceiving that he whom he had laid hold of did not move or stir, he concluded that he was dead and that those in the room were his murderers, and with this suspicion he raised his voice still higher, calling out, "Shut the inn gate; see that no one goes out; they have killed a man here!" This cry startled them all, and each dropped the contest at the point at which the voice reached him.
Don Quixote
And wonder took hold of the deathless gods and mortal men when they saw that which was sheer guile, not to be withstood by men.
Collection Of Hesiod Homer and Homerica
He has only to take care that they do not get hold of too much power and too much authority, and then with his own forces, and with their goodwill, he can easily keep down the more powerful of them, so as to remain entirely master in the country.
Prince
It was the spare yard I had got hold of, and I was amazed to see how far I had travelled from the brig.
Kidnapped
The Thief laid hold of his coat and entreated him to stop, saying, "Pray wait, sir, and hold my clothes, or I shall tear them to pieces in my fury, when I turn into a wolf." At the same moment he yawned the third time and set up a terrible howl.
Fables
"And now that's done," said the blind man; and at the words he suddenly left hold of me, and with incredible accuracy and nimbleness, skipped out of the parlour and into the road, where, as I still stood motionless, I could hear his stick go tap-tap-tapping into the distance.
Treasure Island
"You may say what you will to me," he said between his clenched teeth--"it may be no better than I deserve; but, brother or no, I swear by my hopes of salvation that I will break your arm if you do not leave hold of the maid."
The White Company
In the darkness he took hold of her hand and when she crept close put a hand on her shoulder.
Man or boy, woman or girl, they had for a moment taken hold of the thing that makes the mature life of men and women in the modern world possible.
Winesberg Ohio