hold (one) to ransom

To demand something or some action from someone by threatening them with a harmful consequence if they do not comply. Threatening us with a fine if we don't participate in the survey is a bit like holding us to ransom, isn't it?

hold someone to ransom

BRITISH

COMMON If one person holds another to ransom, the first person uses their power or influence to force the second to do something they do not want to do. But who are the powerful men at the Bundesbank who have the power to hold Europe to ransom? Giorgio Armani, the fashion guru, refused to be held to ransom by greedy catwalk supermodels.

hold someone or something to ransom

1 hold someone prisoner and demand payment for their release. 2 demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action.

See also: hold, ransom, someone, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

hold somebody to ˈransom

1 hold somebody as a prisoner until money has been paid for their release: The kidnappers held the little girl to ransom for more than eight hours.
2 try to force somebody to do what you want by using threats: The government said that the workers were holding the country to ransom by demanding a ten per cent pay rise.

词组	hold (one) to ransom
释义	hold (one) to ransom hold (one) to ransom To demand something or some action from someone by threatening them with a harmful consequence if they do not comply. Threatening us with a fine if we don't participate in the survey is a bit like holding us to ransom, isn't it? See also: hold, ransom Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. hold someone to ransom BRITISH COMMON If one person holds another to ransom, the first person uses their power or influence to force the second to do something they do not want to do. But who are the powerful men at the Bundesbank who have the power to hold Europe to ransom? Giorgio Armani, the fashion guru, refused to be held to ransom by greedy catwalk supermodels. See also: hold, ransom, someone Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. hold someone or something to ransom 1 hold someone prisoner and demand payment for their release. 2 demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action. See also: hold, ransom, someone, something Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary hold somebody to ˈransom 1 hold somebody as a prisoner until money has been paid for their release: The kidnappers held the little girl to ransom for more than eight hours. 2 try to force somebody to do what you want by using threats: The government said that the workers were holding the country to ransom by demanding a ten per cent pay rise. See also: hold, ransom, somebody Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: hold somebody to ransom hold someone or something to ransom hold someone to ransom ransom call the dogs off blackmail blackmail (someone) into (something) blackmail into doing make with make with the (something)
随便看	be right there be (right) up (one's) arse be (right) up there with (someone or something) be right with you be riled up be ringing off the hook be ripe for the picking be ripped to shreds be riveted to the ground be riveted to the spot be riveted to the spot/ground be roasted be robbing Peter to pay Paul be rolling be rolling in dough be rolling in it be rolling in money be rolling in the aisles be rolling in wealth be rooted in (something) be rotten to the core be rough on (someone or something) berp berps berpwater