Your English: Phrasal verbs: hold

When talk of an economic crisis dominates the headlines, various politicians and financial experts often hold forth (talk at length) about the possible reasons for the crisis and solutions to it. The government leader may talk of the need to hold down inflation (prevent it from rising), holding to (continuing to believe) the view that reducing interest rates to stimulate the economy will fuel inflation.

The national bank ma also hold off (delay) any decision to lower interest rates until the next month. People may be advised to hold on to (keep) their shares as selling them might create a panic. Some banks hold up well (remain strong and competitive) under difficult circumstances and some may even be held up as examples of good working practices (given as positive examples), while others are struggle to hold on to (retain) their market share. Some companies hold back (refuse to release) payments owed to creditors in the hope that the situation will improve.

Meanwhile some groups of workers hold out for bigger wage increases (not accepting a particular offer because they want a better one). The advice to everyone is often “Hold on tight because it’s going to be a bumpy ride!” Under the circumstances some people might feel like taking the law into their own hands and holding up their local bank (robbing it at gunpoint), although it’s highly likely that most people wouldn’t hold with (approve of) such actions even if they have no idea how much longer their money will hold out (continue to be enough).