hold down a button

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hold down a button' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of pressing and keeping a button down. For example, "Hold down the power button for two seconds to turn the computer on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But unlike Siri, you don't hold down a button to speak.

The New York Times - Tech

Users must hold down a button to activate the airborne capability.

The New York Times - Tech

To speak, you have to hold down a button on the side of the phone.

The New York Times - Tech

The tests indicated a need to further improve the new interface in terms of spring-loaded modes where the users are only in the desired mode as long as they actively hold down a button.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

Hold down a button and say, "Bravo, run to Charlie," and one of your men will take his position at Checkpoint Charlie.

The New York Times - Tech

BMW's bizarre shifter operates with counterintuitive imprecision: you push forward to get into reverse, you engage Park by pushing a button on the shifter itself and, just to unlock the wand, you need to use your thumb to hold down a button on the side.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Now, when a parking space has been detected, the driver simply holds down a button and the vehicle manages the speed, shifting and steering.

Forbes

The cameras – Taxer Axon devices about as big as a police badge that can be worn in the middle of an officer's chest – are turned on when the officer holds down a button for several seconds to activate it.

Los Angeles Times

Furthermore, on a consumer camera, zooming in or out usually means patiently holding down a button.

The New York Times - Tech

You see on the monitor what you are drawing on the pad, and you can erase errors by redrawing them while holding down a button.

The New York Times - Science

When firing an arrow or cannon ball, as you do once in a while, holding down a button lets you follow the projectile in slow motion, controlling its trajectory by tilting the PlayStation 3's motion-sensitive controller.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, be specific about the duration for which the button should be held down. For example, "Hold down the power button for 5 seconds to restart the device."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating how long to "hold down the button". Without a specific time frame, users might not know how long they need to press it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold down a button" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of pressing and maintaining pressure on a button. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. This action is common in user interfaces and device controls.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold down a button" is a grammatically sound and common instruction, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe the action of pressing and maintaining pressure on a button. While relatively simple, being specific about the duration and purpose of this action is essential for clarity. Ludwig's examples show that this phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Science" contexts. For alternatives, consider options like "press and hold a button" or "keep a button depressed", but ensure they fit the specific context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

press and hold a button

Replaces "hold down" with "press and hold", emphasizing the initial action of pressing before maintaining it.

keep a button pressed

Simple alternative that focuses on maintaining the button in a pressed position.

keep a button depressed

Uses "depressed" to indicate the button is in a pressed state, offering a slightly more technical tone.

maintain pressure on a button

Focuses on the continuous application of pressure rather than the act of holding it down.

apply constant pressure to a button

Highlights that the pressure applied to the button must be constant.

depress a button continuously

Highlights the continuous nature of the button being pressed.

engage and hold a button

Emphasizes both the initial engagement and the subsequent holding of the button.

sustain a button press

Emphasizes the sustained action of pressing the button.

press and sustain a button

Highlights the sustained nature of the button press.

actuate and maintain a button

Uses "actuate" for pressing and "maintain" for holding, providing a more formal tone.

FAQs

How long should I "hold down a button" in instructions?

Specify the duration, such as "Hold down the power button for 3 seconds" or "Hold down the volume button until the screen changes". Vague instructions can confuse users.

What does "holding down a button" typically achieve?

It often activates a secondary function, such as turning a device on or off, accessing a menu, or performing a special action within an application.

What can I say instead of "hold down a button"?

You can use alternatives like "press and hold a button", "keep a button depressed", or "maintain pressure on a button" depending on the context.

Why do some devices require me to "hold down a button" instead of just pressing it?

Holding the button often serves as a safety measure to prevent accidental activation or to initiate a more complex function that requires sustained input.