take hold

USAGE SUMMARY

"take hold" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean "gain control" or "establish a firm grip". For example, "The new president quickly took hold of the country's economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Corruption began to take hold.

The Economist

Predispositions take hold.

The New York Times

Today, they take hold of the camera".

The New Yorker

Oh babe let the goods take hold.

The New York Times

The practice did not take hold immediately.

The New York Times

Japan cannot get inflation to take hold.

The Economist

But gravity was bound to take hold.

The New York Times - Sports

Twitter-coordinated protests take hold in Moldova.

The New Yorker

A certain giddiness can take hold here.

The New York Times

That can creep in and take hold.

The New York Times - Arts

"It really is starting to take hold".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take hold" to describe the moment something begins to exert a significant influence or control. For instance, "As the storm intensified, fear began to "take hold" of the town."

Common error

Avoid using "take hold" when you mean "hold on". "Take hold" implies grasping or establishing something, while "hold on" means to maintain a grip or wait.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take hold" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of control, influence, or establishment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take hold" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the beginning of something exerting influence or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in "News & Media", its usage extends to "Wiki", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts. When using "take hold", be mindful of the subtle differences with similar phrases like "hold on". Understanding the nuances of "take hold" allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become established

Indicates a state of being firmly rooted and accepted.

seize control

Emphasizes the act of taking command or authority.

become dominant

Highlights the achievement of a leading or controlling position.

gain traction

Emphasizes progress and growing popularity or acceptance, rather than initial establishment.

gain a foothold

Implies obtaining an initial, often precarious, position.

gain ground

Suggests making progress against opposition or competition.

get a grip

Suggests gaining control after a period of instability or chaos.

establish itself

Highlights the process of becoming firmly rooted or recognized.

catch on

Focuses on becoming popular or fashionable.

become prevalent

Focuses on widespread adoption or common occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "take hold" in a sentence?

Use "take hold" to describe something gaining control or becoming established. For example, "The new trend began to "take hold" in the fashion industry."

What is an alternative to "take hold"?

Alternatives to "take hold" include "gain traction", "become established", or "seize control" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "takes hold"?

Yes, "takes hold" is the third-person singular present tense form. For example, "The idea "takes hold" quickly within the company."

What's the difference between "take hold" and "hold on"?

"Take hold" means to grasp or establish something, while "hold on" means to maintain a grip or wait. They are not interchangeable.