The word "hold down" is spelled phonetically as /həʊld daʊn/. The first syllable, "hold," is pronounced with a long "o" sound like "oh." The second syllable, "down," starts with the "d" sound which is followed by the combination "ow" like in the word "cow." The stress falls on the second syllable, making it a two-syllable word. The expression "hold down" is typically used to describe keeping something in place or under control, whether it be a job, a person, or a situation.
Hold down is a phrasal verb that can have different meanings depending on the context.
In one sense, to hold down means to keep something or someone in a fixed position or to prevent something from moving. For example, when camping, one might use tent pegs to hold down the corners of a tent to stop it from blowing away in the wind. Similarly, in a strong wind, people may need to hold down loose objects like papers or hats to keep them from being carried off.
Another meaning of hold down is to keep control of a job or position. It refers to maintaining a particular role or position, usually in a professional or work-related context. For instance, a person might say, "I have to work hard to hold down my job as a manager." This means that the individual has to work diligently to keep their position and not be replaced.
Furthermore, hold down can also mean to manage or control a situation or a problem that may be difficult or challenging. For instance, a person may have to hold down their emotions during a stressful situation in order to remain composed or calm.
In summary, hold down encompasses the actions of keeping something or someone in place, maintaining a job or position, and managing or controlling difficult situations.
The phrase "hold down" has an etymology that can be deciphered by examining the individual words it comprises.
- "Hold" originated from the Old English word "holdan", which means "to grasp, keep possession of, maintain control over". This word has Germanic origins and is related to Old High German "haltan" and Old Norse "halda".
- "Down" can be traced back to the Old English word "dūne", which represents the state of being down or being in a lower position. This word has Indo-European roots and is related to the Gothic word "duni", Old High German word "tūni", and the Latin word "de".
Therefore, "hold down" combines the idea of grasping or maintaining control (hold) with the concept of being in a lower position (down).