hold for ransom
Captive for money
To hold for ransom is to keep someone captive until payment is made for their release: The kidnappers held the executive for ransom for three weeks.
The phrase extends to any situation where something valuable is withheld pending demands: The hackers held the company's data for ransom.
To hold something ransom (without "for") works the same way.
- kidnapSeize and detain illegally
- snatch and grabRapid forcible theft
- extortObtain through coercion
- abductTake someone unlawfully
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
negotiate · unmarked bills · dead drop · bag man · pay up · blackmail · hostage · release · proof of life · Stockholm syndrome · capture · demand · carry off · coercion · ultimatum · pirate · leverage · bargaining