hold that pose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold that pose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to maintain a specific position or posture, often in contexts like photography or performance. Example: "As the photographer adjusted the lighting, he asked the model to hold that pose for a few more seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"You had to hold that pose.

The New York Times

He'll hold that pose for many minutes before he utters a word.

The New York Times

Hold that pose for just a few seconds longer than you feel is needed.

The Guardian - Books

And you — and your subject — really do have to hold that pose.

The Washington Post

"Hold that pose!" Students from a New York middle school create a "wax museum" of literary figures for a performance project.

The New Yorker

It might feel a lot like exercise to millions of gym-goers as their muscles strain and they struggle to hold that pose.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

After he raises his face to a corner of the stage and holds that pose, other dancers enter from the same side of the stage and make their way into Mr. Brown's succinct choreographic pulse.

The New York Times - Arts

For shoulder tension, for example, you might raise your shoulders to your ears, straining the muscles of the neck and shoulders, holding that pose for about 30 seconds and then relax, allowing the shoulders to fall and the muscles to relax.

Huffington Post

He really held that pose, like Marilyn Monroe enjoying the warm air from a vent in the pavement.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Bryan spoke his final sentence, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus, he placed his hands to his temples, fingers extended; with the final words, he extended his arms to his sides straight out to his body and held that pose for about five seconds as if offering himself as sacrifice for the cause, as the audience watched in dead silence.

Wikipedia

Freud's painting is said to have taken the best part of two years to complete on the model's days off, day after day, weekends as well, no holidays, holding that uncomfortable pose just in order that an artist should be able to observe and record the way the light falls on a human body, the way a face crumples when nobody is observing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold that pose" when a precise position is required, such as in yoga or physical therapy exercises, to emphasize the importance of maintaining correct form.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-instruction. If you start with "hold that pose", don't switch to past tense descriptions without a clear reason. For example, instead of saying "hold that pose and you were looking great", say "hold that pose and you will look great" or "hold that pose, you look great".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold that pose" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to maintain a specific physical position. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and usable. The imperative mood indicates a command or request.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold that pose" is a grammatically sound and usable imperative phrase that instructs someone to maintain a particular posture. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in contexts such as News & Media and Wiki articles. While generally considered to have a neutral to slightly informal register, its purpose is to give an immediate instruction. When using "hold that pose", ensure that you maintain tense consistency and consider more formal alternatives like "maintain that position" for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain that position

Emphasizes continuation of a position already established.

keep that stance

Focuses on the physical posture or bearing.

stay in that position

A more general instruction to remain where one is.

freeze in place

Implies an immediate and sudden stop to movement.

don't move

A direct command to remain still.

remain still

A more formal way of saying "don't move".

hold your form

Often used in athletic or dance contexts, focusing on technique.

sustain that posture

Highlights the act of maintaining a specific body arrangement.

keep still in that pose

Similar to remain still.

stop right there

Emphasizes the immediacy of halting movement and implies a specific pose is achieved when stopping.

FAQs

How is "hold that pose" typically used?

The phrase "hold that pose" is typically used as an instruction to someone to maintain a specific position, especially in photography, art, or activities like yoga. It implies maintaining stillness for a purpose.

What can I say instead of "hold that pose"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain that position", "stay in that position", or "keep that stance" depending on the context.

Is "hold that pose" formal or informal?

"Hold that pose" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. More formal instructions might include "maintain the position".

In what situations would I use "hold that pose"?

Use "hold that pose" when directing a subject in photography, guiding someone through a yoga position, or in any scenario where maintaining a specific posture is important for a short duration.