get hold of

USAGE SUMMARY

"get hold of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to gaining control or possession of something, either directly or through means of communication. For example, "I need to get hold of the latest sales figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You couldn't get hold of them.

Independent

How did Bala get hold of it?

The New Yorker

Sadly, Brett couldn't get hold of Stewart.

Independent

I couldn't get hold of my friends..

The New Yorker

Wait till they get hold of Messrs Kucinich and Sharpton.

The Economist

To get hold of the game, you'll first need to get hold of a code.

Independent

Want to get hold of them?

The Guardian - Music

Really hard to get hold of.

The Guardian

How do we get hold of it?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Blair couldn't get hold of anybody.

The Guardian - Business

Romania finally get hold of the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get hold of" when you want to express obtaining something, contacting someone, or gaining control in a relatively informal context.

Common error

Avoid using "get hold of" in highly formal or academic writing; opt for more precise alternatives like "obtain", "acquire", or "contact" depending on the specific meaning.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic verb phrase "get hold of" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it can mean to obtain something, to contact someone, or to gain control of something. The specific meaning is context-dependent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

30%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get hold of" is a versatile idiomatic verb phrase with multiple meanings, most commonly used to express obtaining something, contacting someone, or gaining control. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While primarily informal, it appears frequently in news, media and wiki contexts. For formal writing, consider more precise alternatives such as "obtain", "acquire", or "contact". Remember that the best context of use is within a neutral or informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain

This alternative focuses on the act of acquiring something, removing the idiomatic aspect of the original phrase.

acquire

Similar to "obtain", but often implies a more formal or deliberate process of gaining something.

get in touch with

A more verbose way of saying "contact", emphasizing the act of initiating communication.

contact

This alternative narrows the meaning to establishing communication with someone.

lay your hands on

More informal and emphasizes the physical act of finding or acquiring something, often with a hint of difficulty.

reach

Similar to "contact", focusing on the act of getting in touch with someone.

gain control of

This alternative shifts the meaning towards achieving dominance or command over something.

secure

Implies making something safe and assuredly obtaining it, often after some effort.

take possession of

Focuses on the legal or physical act of assuming ownership.

procure

A more formal term for obtaining something, often implying effort or difficulty in the acquisition.

FAQs

What does "get hold of" mean?

The phrase "get hold of" has multiple meanings, including obtaining something, contacting someone, or gaining control of something. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it is used.

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

You can use "get hold of" in sentences like, "I need to "contact" John" (meaning to contact him) or "I need to "acquire" that book" (meaning to obtain it).

Which is correct, "get hold of" or "get a hold of"?

"Get hold of" is the more common and generally preferred form. "Get a hold of" is also used, especially when emphasizing the action of gripping or seizing something, but "get hold of" is often more versatile.

What are some alternatives to "get hold of"?

Depending on the context, you could use "obtain", "acquire", "contact", or "reach" as alternatives to "get hold of".