holding it together

USAGE SUMMARY

"holding it together" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to maintain control or keep something functioning properly. It can be used in different contexts, such as: - The team's captain did a great job of holding it together during the chaos of the game. - Despite the stressful situation, she managed to keep her composure and hold it together. - The director is the one responsible for holding the entire production together. - Despite all the challenges and obstacles, the family managed to hold it together and stay united.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is the glue holding it together, its binding principle, the instrument of its discipline".

The New Yorker

Dimitrov holding it together.

The Guardian - Sport

" 'Cause we been holding it together".

The New York Times - Books

9.34am: Great Britain are holding it together.

The Guardian - Sport

Secrecy is the mortar holding it together.

The New York Times

"Also examine the pins that are holding it together.

Independent

My body had been barely holding it together".

The Guardian

It's just holding it together, adjusting, moving forward.

The New York Times - Sports

They're both holding it together well, in the circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

Only then, after holding it together for so long, did she crumble.

The New York Times - Sports

Holding it together requires deals that often defy economic and administrative logic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a collective effort, use "holding it together" to highlight the cohesive force or shared responsibility in maintaining stability or functionality.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "holding it together" excessively in very informal settings where simpler alternatives like "managing" or "coping" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding it together" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used in continuous tenses, describing the action of maintaining stability, composure, or functionality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes maintaining control or keeping something functioning properly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holding it together" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe maintaining stability or control in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. While it can be used in most situations, it is best to avoid overuse in very informal conversations. Related phrases include "keeping it together" and "maintaining stability". The phrase's purpose is to convey the prevention of failure or disintegration. As the examples on Ludwig show, "holding it together" effectively communicates the effort required to maintain a state of equilibrium amidst challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeping it together

Focuses more on the act of maintaining composure or functionality.

maintaining stability

Emphasizes the act of keeping something stable and preventing collapse.

keeping things afloat

Suggests preventing something from failing or sinking, often in a challenging situation.

managing to cope

Highlights the ability to deal with difficulties or stress.

preserving order

Focuses on maintaining a structured or organized state.

remaining composed

Specifically refers to maintaining a calm and controlled demeanor.

preventing disintegration

Implies stopping something from breaking apart or falling into disrepair.

avoiding collapse

Highlights the act of preventing a system or structure from failing.

keeping up appearances

Focuses on maintaining a facade of normalcy or success, even when struggling.

weathering the storm

Suggests enduring a difficult period and emerging successfully.

FAQs

How can I use "holding it together" in a sentence?

You can use "holding it together" to describe maintaining control or functionality, like "Despite the chaos, she was the one "keeping it together" for the team".

What are some alternatives to "holding it together"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "holding it together" could include "maintaining stability", "keeping things afloat", or "managing to cope".

Is it better to say "holding it together" or "keeping it together"?

"Holding it together" and "keeping it together" are very similar and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "holding it together"?

The phrase "holding it together" is appropriate in situations where something is in danger of falling apart, whether physically, emotionally, or structurally, and effort is being made to maintain its integrity.