What does "hold onto" mean (sense 1)?

To grip something firmly with your hands, preventing it from slipping or being taken away. Example: "Hold onto the railing as you walk down — the steps are icy."

What does "hold onto" mean (sense 2)?

To keep something in your possession rather than giving it away, losing it, or spending it. Example: "Hold onto your receipt in case you need to return the item."

What does "hold onto" mean (sense 3)?

To maintain a lead, position, advantage, or belief, especially under pressure. Example: "The team held onto first place despite their star player's injury."

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hold onto

B1 neutral inseparable transitive

To grip something firmly, to keep possession of something, or to maintain a belief, memory, or advantage.

In plain English

To keep a tight grip on something, or to keep something so you don't lose it.

What does "hold onto" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 A2 neutral

very common

To grip something firmly with your hands, preventing it from slipping or being taken away.

"Hold onto the railing as you walk down — the steps are icy."

inseparable

2 B1 neutral

very common

To keep something in your possession rather than giving it away, losing it, or spending it.

"Hold onto your receipt in case you need to return the item."

inseparable

3 B2 idiomatic neutral

very common

To maintain a lead, position, advantage, or belief, especially under pressure.

"The team held onto first place despite their star player's injury."

“

We must hold onto our values in the face of adversity.
— Nelson Mandela, various speeches (widely paraphrased pattern)

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To grip something and keep it from falling or escaping — physical sense is transparent.

Actually means

To keep a tight grip on something, or to keep something so you don't lose it.

Usage tip

Widely used for both physical grip and figurative possession (hold onto a lead, hold onto hope, hold onto a memory). 'Hold on to' (two words) and 'hold onto' are both correct spellings. Very common across all registers.

Words that pair with "hold onto"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

lead hope memory ticket power belief hat railing

How to conjugate "hold onto"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

hold onto

I/you/we/they

3rd person

holds onto

he/she/it

Past simple

held onto

yesterday

Past participle

held onto

have + pp

-ing form

holding onto

continuous

Hear "hold onto" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "hold onto" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "hold" All phrasal verbs with "onto" More B1-level phrasal verbs