held hostage

USAGE SUMMARY

"held hostage" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is taken captive by a group of people in order to force the hostage taker's demands to be met by another party. For example, "The kidnappers held the family hostage until their ransom demands were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

And I've been held hostage".

The New York Times

"It's like we're held hostage.

The New York Times

BUENOS AIRES — Liberty is being held hostage.

The New York Times

Five firefighters were initially held hostage.

The New York Times

He has been held hostage by landowners.

The Guardian

America held hostage to foreign oil.

The New York Times

And then there are dolphins held hostage.

The New York Times

The demoralized Democrats are held hostage by the unemployment numbers.

The New York Times

In the process, logic is sometimes held hostage.

The New York Times

AFGHANISTAN has been held hostage by political stalemate for months.

The Economist

"Right now we're held hostage by this thing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held hostage" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates who is being held, by whom, and the purpose of the captivity. This enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "held hostage" lightly in metaphorical contexts where the sense of actual threat or captivity is absent. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held hostage" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is being controlled against their will. Ludwig shows that it's used both literally, to describe physical captivity, and figuratively, to describe constraints or undue influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held hostage" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes a state of captivity or constraint. As Ludwig highlights, it can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, carrying a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. Its primary function is to convey a situation of forced control, eliciting a sense of urgency or injustice. While grammatically correct, it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in situations where the sense of actual threat or captivity is absent. Given its frequent use in news media, being precise with this phrase is useful to ensure a clear, powerful message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken captive

Focuses on the act of capture, highlighting the beginning of the captivity.

held prisoner

Emphasizes the state of being confined as a prisoner.

in captivity

Highlights the condition of being confined and controlled.

under duress

Suggests the action or decision is made under coercion or pressure.

constrained

Implies a limitation or restriction on freedom or action.

under coercion

Highlights that actions are forced by external power or threats.

at gunpoint

Indicates a direct threat of violence as the means of control.

under someone's thumb

Highlights a situation where someone is completely controlled by another.

be controlled

Emphasizes the loss of autonomy and the imposition of external control.

being extorted

Focuses on the act of obtaining something through force or threats.

FAQs

How can I use "held hostage" in a sentence?

The phrase "held hostage" is used to describe a situation where someone is captured and detained, often with demands made for their release. For example, "The negotiators feared the soldiers would be "held prisoner" if talks failed."

What's a more formal way to say "held hostage"?

While "held hostage" is widely understood, in more formal contexts, consider using "detained under duress" or "in captivity" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it correct to use "held hostage" metaphorically?

Yes, "held hostage" can be used metaphorically to describe situations where someone or something is unduly controlled or constrained, like "Our project was "held back" by bureaucratic delays". However, ensure the metaphor is appropriate and doesn't trivialize actual hostage situations.

What's the difference between "held hostage" and "held captive"?

While closely related, "held hostage" implies a demand or negotiation for release, whereas "held captive" simply indicates the state of being confined. One might be "held captive" without any specific demands being made, but being "held hostage" always involves some form of negotiation or demand.