hold on

a hold on (someone)

A strong influence over or effect on someone. That movie must really have a hold on the kids—I've hardly heard a peep out of them since I turned it on. Can you believe all the money he spends on her? I guess her beauty has a real hold on him.
See also: hold, on

hold on

1. To physically grip something. Hold onto the railing so that you don't lose your balance.
2. To wait or pause. Often used as an imperative. Hey, hold on—that's not what I'm saying at all. If you'll just hold on a minute, I'll pull up your file.
3. To continue or persist despite challenges. The company will not be able to hold on if we lose money again this quarter.
See also: hold, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hold on

(to someone or something) Go to hang on (to someone or something).
See also: hold, on

hold on

to be patient. Just hold on. Everything will work out in good time. If you will just hold on, everything will probably be all right.
See also: hold, on

Hold on (a minute)!

 and Hold on for a minute!
Stop right there!; Wait a minute! (Minute can be replaced by moment, second, or other time periods.) Bob: Hold on, Tom. Tom: What? Bob: I want to talk to you. "Hold on!" hollered Tom. "You're running off with my shopping cart!"
See also: hold
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

hold on

1. Also, hold on to. Maintain one's grip, cling, as in Hold on to your hat in this wind, or The early Christians held on to their beliefs despite strong opposition. [Early 1500s]
2. Continue to do something, persist, as in Please hold on for a while longer. [Late 1800s]
3. Stop, wait, as in Hold on! We can't go past this gate. [Mid-1800s]
4. Remain on a telephone line, as in If you can hold on a minute I'll go and find her. [Late 1800s]
See also: hold, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

hold on

v.
1. To maintain a grip on something; cling to something: I held on to the ledge until someone could pull me to safety. You should hold on to the railing when you walk down the stairs.
2. To persist or persevere: Our organization has managed to hold on through some hard times.
3. To wait for a short time: Hold on; I'll be with you in a moment. The operator asked me to hold on while processing my request.
See also: hold, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a hold on (someone)
  • get a hold on (one)
  • peep
  • another peep
  • hear a peep from/out of (someone)
  • hear a peep out of
  • another peep out of (one)
  • another peep out of you
  • better than
  • That's enough!