hold anger

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold anger" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to suppress or restrain one's feelings of anger. Example: Despite the unfair treatment, she managed to hold her anger and respond calmly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Don't hold anger inside.

The New York Times

The child can hold anger.

The New York Times

But even as the pujas for the souls of the Sherpas were being held, a new mood took hold: anger.

The Guardian

I can't hold anger at someone for failing what was ultimately my responsibility.

Vice

Keep in mind, too, that the people you have hurt or hold anger toward may be fighting personal battles, and though you can speculate, you likely have no idea why they behave as they do.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Individuals who hold anger-in experience an increased pain severity, failure to express anger leads to more disability[4, 5].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Holding anger inside makes you sick and miserable, my friend would say.

The New York Times

He said the district attorney's office had held anger management seminars at the school earlier this month.

The New York Times

"I just want people to know that he's not a person who holds anger, not a person losing his faculties," Mr. Roney said.

The New York Times

Most importantly, holding anger and revenge is such a painful process that it leaves scars on us and anyone in our vicinity.

Huffington Post

I don't hold any anger towards Bilonog.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold anger" when you want to convey the idea of consciously restraining or suppressing feelings of anger, rather than expressing them outwardly.

Common error

Avoid using "holding anger" as an excuse for passive-aggressive behavior. Suppressing anger should not translate into indirect or manipulative actions towards others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold anger" functions as a verb phrase where "hold" is a transitive verb taking "anger" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct phrase. It describes the action of suppressing or containing one's feelings of anger.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold anger" describes the act of suppressing or restraining one's feelings of anger. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, though notes it's not a particularly common expression. While grammatically sound, it's important to be mindful of the potential negative consequences of regularly suppressing anger. Consider exploring alternative phrases such as "control anger" or "manage anger". It is also important to find a health balance in expressing or "holding" your feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control anger

Emphasizes the ability to manage or direct one's anger.

suppress anger

Focuses on actively preventing anger from showing.

contain anger

Highlights managing and keeping anger within certain limits.

curb anger

Suggests restraining or checking one's anger.

repress anger

Implies a more unconscious or forceful suppression of anger.

withhold anger

Highlights a deliberate decision not to express anger.

stifle anger

Implies preventing anger from expressing itself fully.

bottle up anger

Suggests accumulating anger over time, which can lead to a later outburst.

manage anger

Focuses on techniques and strategies for dealing with anger effectively.

keep anger in check

Emphasizes maintaining control over one's anger to prevent it from escalating.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "hold anger" in a sentence?

You can use "hold anger" to describe someone suppressing their anger, such as: "Despite the provocation, she chose to hold her anger and respond diplomatically".

What's a more common way to express "hold anger"?

While "hold anger" is correct, alternatives like "control anger" or "suppress anger" might be more frequently used depending on the context.

Is it better to "hold anger" or express it?

Whether to "hold anger" or express it depends on the situation. Regularly "repressing anger" can be unhealthy, but expressing it inappropriately can also be damaging. Healthy anger management involves finding a balance.

What are the consequences of frequently "holding anger"?

Consistently "holding anger" without healthy outlets can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems. It's important to find constructive ways to process and manage anger.