Library / English Dictionary

TAKE HOLD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Have or hold in one's hands or grip

Example:

A crazy idea took hold of him

Synonyms:

hold; take hold

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "take hold"):

grasp; hold on (hold firmly)

cling to; clutch; hold close; hold tight (hold firmly, usually with one's hands)

cradle (hold gently and carefully)

clinch (hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches)

interlace; interlock; lock (hold in a locking position)

trap (hold or catch as if in a trap)

cradle (hold or place in or as if in a cradle)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Assume control

Synonyms:

take charge; take control; take hold

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "take hold" is one way to...):

head; lead (be in charge of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "take hold"):

move in on (seize control of)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

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