hold me close

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold me close" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts expressing a desire for physical closeness or emotional intimacy. Example: "As the storm raged outside, she whispered, 'Hold me close.'" Alternative expressions include "keep me near" and "hold me tight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Please hold me close, so I'm not alone," Ms. Charles sang in the chorus.

The New York Times - Arts

Iris (Hold Me Close) is about Bono's mother, who died when he was 14.

The Guardian - Music

What I wouldn't give to have someone swaddle me in a bath sheet and hold me close.

The New Yorker

One song, "Iris (Hold Me Close) is a "beautiful homage to Bono's mother", with other tracks including "Raised by Wolves" and "Volcano".

Independent

A string of film and pop successes followed, with hits including Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You a Star and That'll Be the Day.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

All conceivable types of feature can be juxtaposed - sequences of shortened and full words (hldmecls "hold me close"), logograms and shortened words (2bctnd "to be continued"), logograms and nonstandard spellings (cu2nite) and so on.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Hold me closer tiny dancer Count the headlights on the highway Lay me down on sheets of linen You had a busy day today.

The Guardian - Books

"Hold me closer than that," the two sang in the title track from the band's latest album, "Things We Lost in the Fire," making erotic union mystical.

The New York Times - Arts

In fact the word mondegreen specifically refers to lyrics that people commonly mishear - from "she's got a chicken to ride" to "hold me closer, Tony Danza".

BBC

For the longest time i thought It was "Hold me closer, Tony Danza" until somebody told me the songs called Tiny Dancer #Mis HeardLyrics

Huffington Post

3. Rock the cat box / Rock the Casbah (The Clash, Rock The Casbah) – 14%. 4. Hold me closer Tony Danza / Hold me closer tiny dancer (Elton John, Tiny Dancer) – 13%. 5. There's a bathroom on the right / There's a bad moon on the rise (Credence Clearwater Revival, Bad Moon Rising) – 12%.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold me close" to convey a sense of intimacy, vulnerability, or a need for comfort and reassurance in both romantic and platonic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "hold me close" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral language unless you're intentionally creating a personal or emotional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold me close" functions as an imperative request, urging someone to provide physical and emotional comfort. This is evident in Ludwig's examples where it's used in contexts of seeking reassurance or expressing affection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

HuffPost

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold me close" serves as a plea for intimacy and comfort, frequently appearing in personal and emotional contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English, although it is more suited for informal settings. Alternative phrases such as "embrace me tightly" or "draw me near" can offer similar sentiments with slight variations in tone. When using this phrase, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embrace me tightly

Emphasizes the intensity and security of the embrace.

draw me near

Focuses on the act of bringing someone closer, often implying emotional connection.

keep me near you

Stresses the desire to maintain proximity over time.

enfold me in your arms

Highlights the protective and comforting aspect of being held.

cradle me gently

Implies a tender and nurturing form of holding.

hug me tightly

Similar to "embrace me tightly" but with a more casual tone.

cherish me

Shifts the focus to the emotional value and care.

cling to me

Suggests a desperate need for closeness and support.

keep me safe

Highlights the security and protection offered by the action.

comfort me

Focuses on the soothing and supportive aspect.

FAQs

What does "hold me close" mean?

The phrase "hold me close" is a request for someone to embrace you tightly, suggesting a desire for physical and emotional closeness, often for comfort or reassurance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hold me close"?

It's appropriate in intimate or emotional situations, such as comforting someone who is sad, expressing affection to a loved one, or seeking reassurance during a difficult time. It is rarely used in formal or professional settings.

What are some alternative ways to say "hold me close"?

You can use alternatives such as "embrace me tightly", "draw me near", or "keep me near you" to express a similar sentiment with slightly different nuances.

Is "hold me close" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hold me close" is grammatically correct. "Hold" is a verb in the imperative mood, "me" is the object pronoun, and "close" is an adverb modifying the verb, indicating how the action should be performed.