hold everything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold everything" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to ask someone to stop what they are doing or to pause for a moment, often because something important needs to be addressed. Example: "Hold everything! I just received some new information that changes our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's the words that hold everything together.

The New Yorker

Get ready to literally hold everything.

The New York Times

It isn't a writer's job to hold everything in place.

The New York Times - Books

"Wait, hold everything — there are no ruby slippers?" he said.

The New York Times

People tell me that's not good, to hold everything in.

The New York Times - Sports

Strappy little numbers they were, with a zip up the back to hold everything in.

Independent

So do glass containers that hold everything from rice to spices.

The New York Times

But she won't stop; she wants to hold everything in her hand.

The New York Times

Then cement seals will be set to hold everything in place.

The Economist

A good sideboard will hold everything from dinnerware, silver and glassware to bottles of wine.

The New York Times

Your closet is a poster for California Closets and Hold Everything.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold everything" when you need everyone to stop what they are doing immediately to address a critical update or change of plans.

Common error

Avoid using "hold everything" in highly formal or professional settings like board meetings or legal proceedings. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "let's pause here" or "if I may interrupt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold everything" functions primarily as an interjection or imperative phrase. It's used to command or request an immediate cessation of ongoing activities. Ludwig AI shows many examples of its usage in various contexts to indicate a need for immediate attention or a pause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold everything" is a common and generally acceptable way to signal an immediate pause or interruption. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct and its frequency is considered very common across various contexts, especially in news and media. While it is widely used, it is important to consider the register and avoid using it in highly formal environments. Alternatives like "please pause" or "wait a moment" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Overall, understanding the context and intended audience is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait a moment

This alternative offers a more direct way to request a brief pause, suitable for immediate actions.

stop right there

Implies a more urgent need to cease an action immediately, often in response to something unexpected.

pause for a second

Suggests a brief interruption is needed, focusing on the temporary nature of the halt.

wait just a second

Offers a slightly more casual request for a pause, suitable in informal conversations.

hang on a minute

Suggests a brief delay, often used in more relaxed or informal settings.

let's put a pin in that

This suggests postponing the topic for a later time, which changes focus from immediate action.

suspend everything

Implies a temporary halt to all ongoing activities, suggesting a broader scope than a specific action.

all stop

Directly commands all ongoing activities to cease, often in emergency situations.

cease all activity

A more formal and forceful way to demand a complete stop of all operations.

discontinue proceedings

This is a very formal and legalistic way to halt a process, suitable for official contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "hold everything" in a sentence?

You can use "hold everything" to signal an immediate pause or interruption. For example, "Hold everything! We have a major update to the project timeline".

What's a more formal way to say "hold everything"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "please pause" or "let's hold on" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "hold everything" appropriate for written communication?

While acceptable, "hold everything" is generally more suitable for spoken communication. In written communication, especially in formal contexts, consider using more descriptive alternatives.

What does "hold everything" mean?

"Hold everything" means to stop all current actions or activities immediately. It's used to get attention and signal that something important needs to be addressed.