holding things together

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "holding things together" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of maintaining stability or cohesion in a situation, relationship, or organization. Example: "During the crisis, her leadership was crucial in holding things together and ensuring the team remained focused on their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

On the other hand, Boulez may simply have been holding things together under adverse performance conditions.

The New Yorker

Only a thin layer of stainless steel was holding things together.

The Economist

1.56pm: Jean van de Velde is holding things together - he's par for the course after seven.

The Guardian - Sport

Trump praised him for holding things together, which, he indicated, is hard to do.

The Washington Post

Of the two, Nancy is the tougher cookie, strong and athletic, used to holding things together.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. LePore is clearly intent on showing that she is holding things together.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Poets hold things together.

The New York Times - Magazine

How much can she hold things together?

The New York Times

The centre, however repressive, cannot hold things together.

The Economist

Since then, the avuncular chairman has held things together.

The Economist

Roadworkers even now are trying to hold things together.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "holding things together", consider the specific context. Is it about maintaining stability, cohesion, or functionality? Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "maintaining stability", "keeping the peace", or "ensuring functionality" may provide greater precision.

Common error

While "holding things together" is versatile, it can sometimes sound informal in academic or professional writing. In these settings, opt for more precise alternatives like "maintaining stability", "preserving order", or "ensuring cohesion" to convey a more polished and authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding things together" functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as part of the predicate in a sentence. It signifies an action aimed at maintaining stability or unity. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a common and acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Sport

12%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "holding things together" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies maintaining stability, cohesion, or functionality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and versatile, although slightly informal for highly academic or professional contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a sense of preventing disintegration or managing challenging situations. When aiming for greater precision, consider using alternatives like "maintaining stability" or "ensuring cohesion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintaining cohesion

Highlights the aspect of unity and coherence, rather than general functionality.

keeping things stable

Focuses on maintaining stability as opposed to the broader idea of cohesion.

keeping everything running smoothly

Highlights the aspect of effortless operation and avoiding disruptions.

preserving order

Highlights the maintenance of an established system or structure.

keeping everything afloat

Emphasizes preventing failure or collapse, often in difficult circumstances.

ensuring functionality

Focuses on maintaining the ability to perform a required task.

preventing disintegration

Focuses on averting the process of falling apart or losing integrity.

keeping the peace

Specifically refers to maintaining peaceful relations and avoiding conflict.

managing to cope

Emphasizes the act of dealing successfully with difficulties.

averting disaster

Focuses on preventing a catastrophic event.

FAQs

What does "holding things together" mean?

The phrase "holding things together" generally means maintaining stability, cohesion, or functionality in a situation, organization, or relationship. It implies preventing something from falling apart or failing.

What are some alternatives to "holding things together"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "maintaining stability", "ensuring cohesion", "keeping everything afloat", or "preserving order".

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

You can use "holding things together" to describe someone's actions during a crisis (e.g., "Her leadership was crucial in holding things together during the company's financial crisis"), or to describe something that is preventing chaos (e.g., "The treaty is holding things together in the region").

Is "holding things together" appropriate for formal writing?

While "holding things together" is acceptable in many contexts, it might be too informal for academic or professional writing. In those cases, consider using alternatives like "maintaining stability" or "ensuring functionality".