To successfully manage a situation, responsibility, or place, often in someone's absence or under difficult circumstances.
To keep things running well and under control, especially when it's hard or when someone else is away.
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
To successfully maintain and manage a situation, place, or set of responsibilities, especially when conditions are difficult.
"While the boss is at the conference, I need you to hold it down at the office."
I need my team to hold it down while I'm away.
— Widely attested in hip-hop lyrics and interviews; e.g. Jay-Z interviews (c. 2000s)
Common in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) and widely used in hip-hop culture. Can refer to maintaining order in a neighborhood, keeping a household running, or staying loyal. Also used simply to mean 'represent' or 'maintain your presence in a place or group.'
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "hold it down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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