holds on
Waits while clutching
Holds on means to maintain a grip or position: She holds on to the railing.
It extends to persisting through difficulty—someone who holds on keeps going despite hardship: Hold on, help is coming.
The phrase also means to wait briefly: Hold on, I need to check something.
To hold on to something is to keep possession of it: He holds on to old photographs.
- clingsHolds on tightly
- for dear lifeWith utmost urgency
- endureSuffer through without yielding
- persevereContinue despite obstacles
- adhereStick firmly to
grasp · withstand · clutch · retain · weather · maintain · latch · persist · anchor · stick with · keep going · clasp · sustain · seize · fasten · follow through · waits · white-knuckle
- keeps goingpersists, continues, endures, lasts, perseveres
holds onlets go
Relinquishes hold, or urges haste
releases · drops · relinquishes · unclasps · frees
holds ongives up
Ceases effort or resistance
quits · surrenders · gives in · capitulates · throws in the towel
hold, holds, held, holding, holder, holders, holdout, holdover, behold