hold hostage
Capture for leverage
To hold hostage is to keep someone captive as leverage for demands—ransom, political concessions, or safe passage: The militants held the embassy staff hostage for 444 days.
Figuratively, anything that constrains your choices holds you hostage: We're being held hostage by their refusal to negotiate.
The phrase implies coercion and powerlessness, whether the captivity is literal or metaphorical.
Obtaining through threats
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- manipulateControl through clever influence
- exploitNotable act or abuse
pressure · force · intimidate · control · demand · leverage · ultimatum · coerce
extortion
Obtaining through threats
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- manipulateControl through clever influence
exploit · pressure · force · intimidate · control · demand · leverage · ultimatum · coerce · strongarm
kidnap
Seize and detain illegally
detain · confine · imprison · captor · prisoner · captive · sequester · incarcerate · restrain · seize
ransom
Payment for captive's release
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- negotiateDiscuss to reach agreement
mediator · concessions · leverage · exchange · deadline · terms · intermediary · deal · stalemate · compromise