get a hold of

USAGE SUMMARY

"get a hold of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to contact you, or to mean that you are able to obtain something. For example, "I need to get a hold of my sister about the family reunion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Get a hold of yourselves, gentlemen.

The New York Times

"Get a hold of yourself," he said.

The New York Times

We usually can't get a hold of these guys.

The New York Times

The emotions will get a hold of you".

The New York Times

They can't even get a hold of him.

The New York Times

I tried to get a hold of my emotions".

The New York Times - Sports

"I seen this whole thing blocked off and I couldn't get a hold of her.

Independent

There are also teenage boys who get a hold of Playboy for the articles.

The New York Times

I want something the press is going to get a hold of".

The New Yorker

You have to call a special 800 number to get a hold of him.

The New Yorker

But I love reading everything I can get a hold of on the topic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get a hold of" when you want to emphasize the effort or process involved in contacting someone or obtaining something. It suggests more than a simple contact or acquisition.

Common error

Avoid using "get a hold of" in overly formal contexts where a more direct word like "contact" or "obtain" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get a hold of" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's used primarily to indicate either establishing communication with someone or acquiring something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a valid and frequently used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get a hold of" is a common idiomatic phrase with two primary meanings: to contact someone or to obtain something. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain contexts. It appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources. Related phrases include "contact", "obtain", and "get in touch with". When using this phrase, be mindful of the specific meaning you intend to convey and select the most appropriate alternative if the context requires greater precision or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get in touch with

This alternative emphasizes the act of initiating communication with someone.

contact

This alternative is a more direct and concise way to indicate making contact with someone.

reach

This alternative suggests an attempt to communicate with someone, similar to "get a hold of".

obtain

This alternative focuses on acquiring something, whether physical or abstract.

get your hands on

This alternative is more colloquial than 'obtain' and implies finding or acquiring something, sometimes with eagerness.

acquire

This alternative is a more formal synonym for obtain, emphasizing the act of gaining possession.

gain access to

This alternative emphasizes the ability to use or benefit from something.

procure

This alternative suggests obtaining something with effort, often something difficult to get.

lay your hands on

This alternative suggests finding or acquiring something, often after searching.

take possession of

This alternative emphasizes the act of assuming control or ownership of something.

FAQs

What does "get a hold of" mean?

The phrase "get a hold of" has two main meanings: to contact someone or to obtain something. The specific meaning depends on the context.

How can I use "get a hold of" in a sentence?

You can use "get a hold of" in sentences like: "I need to "contact" my sister about the party" or "Where can I "obtain" a copy of that book?"

What can I say instead of "get a hold of" when I mean 'contact'?

You can use alternatives like ""contact"", "reach", or "get in touch with" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "get a hold of" when I mean 'obtain'?

You can use alternatives like ""obtain"", "acquire", or "procure" depending on the context.