keep a hold of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep a hold of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to maintain possession or control of something. Example: "Make sure to keep a hold of your belongings while traveling to avoid losing anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

'Always keep a hold of Nurse For fear of finding something worse' (Belloc).

The Guardian

That's what Don King virtually did to keep a hold of his title.

The New York Times

The mud sucks your feet and tries to keep a hold of them; failing that, it settles for your shoes.

The New Yorker

Dave Jones Cardifff will be looking to keep a hold of the second automatic promotion place when they host Portsmouth.

Independent

He added: "Everybody should keep a hold of their kids, keep an eye on them, here or anywhere, the shopping mall, going to school.

The Guardian

Remember: to Bush, Musharraf was like that fact you've been told a thousand times but just can't keep a hold of.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In the words of Hilaire Belloc, "Always keep a-hold of Nurse, / For fear of finding something worse".

The New Yorker

The poem's closing lines were: And always keep a-hold of Nurse For fear of finding something worse.

The New Yorker

"Ayaan Hirsi Ali has at times suggested that Christianity might [in relative terms] be a good thing, like the Hilaire Belloc line: 'Always keep a-hold of nurse for fear of finding something worse'.

The Guardian

Despite everything, despite the expected poor figures, the extended austerity, the potentially missed targets, the chancellor's strategic aim will be to convince voters that everything is still on track and they should keep a-hold of Nurse Osborne's hand.

BBC

And ji, literally meaning "retaining" or "holding," is explained to refer to the practitioner's mind that keeps a-hold of, absorbs, the compassion just as water retains and reflects the sunlight.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep a hold of" when you want to emphasize the importance of maintaining possession or control, whether physically or metaphorically. It's suitable for a wide range of contexts from casual advice to more formal instructions.

Common error

While generally versatile, avoid overusing "keep a hold of" in highly formal or technical writing. In those contexts, alternatives like "retain possession of" or "maintain control over" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep a hold of" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of maintaining possession or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable and correct phrase. Examples show it used in diverse contexts, from physical objects to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep a hold of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing the act of maintaining possession or control. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and general discourse, it serves to advise, instruct, or warn about not letting go, whether physically or metaphorically. Alternatives like "hold onto" and "retain possession of" offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold onto

Focuses on the act of physically grasping or clinging to something.

hang on to

Similar to "hold onto" but slightly more informal.

don't let go of

Emphasizes the action of releasing something, suggesting a need to maintain grip.

maintain a grip on

Focuses on the act of tightly grasping something, both physically and metaphorically.

retain possession of

More formal, emphasizing the legal or official right to keep something.

maintain control over

Highlights the aspect of having power or authority over something.

preserve

Implies an effort to protect or maintain something in its original state.

cling to

Suggests a desperate or emotional attachment to something.

secure

Implies making sure something stays safe and protected.

safeguard

Emphasizes protecting something from harm or loss.

FAQs

How can I use "keep a hold of" in a sentence?

You can use "keep a hold of" when you want to advise someone to maintain possession or control of something. For example: "Make sure to "keep a hold of" your belongings while traveling to avoid losing anything."

What can I say instead of "keep a hold of"?

You can use alternatives like "hold onto", "retain possession of", or "maintain control over" depending on the context.

When is it most appropriate to use "keep a hold of"?

"Keep a hold of" is appropriate in many situations, from casual advice to more serious warnings. It works well when you want to emphasize the importance of not letting something go, either literally or figuratively.

Is "keep a hold of" formal or informal?

"Keep a hold of" is generally considered informal but versatile. While acceptable in news and general writing, more formal options like "retain possession of" might be preferable in academic or business contexts.