Grip vs. Hold: What's the Difference?

Grip and Hold Definitions
Grip
A tight hold; a firm grasp
A drowning swimmer now safely in the grip of a lifeguard.
Hold
To have and keep in one's grasp
Held the reins tightly.
Grip
The pressure or strength of such a grasp
A wrestler with an unmatched grip.
Hold
To aim or direct; point
Held a hose on the fire.
Grip
A manner of grasping and holding
The crate afforded no comfortable grip.
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Hold
To keep from falling or moving; support
A nail too small to hold the mirror.
Hold the horse steady.
Papers that were held together with staples.
Grip
Intellectual hold; understanding
A good grip on French history.
Hold
To sustain the pressure of
The old bridge can't hold much weight.
Grip
Ability to function properly or well; competence
Getting a grip on the new technique.
Hold
To keep from departing or getting away
Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
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Grip
Mental or emotional composure
Lost his grip after he was fired.
Hold
To keep in custody
Held the suspect for questioning.
Grip
A mechanical device that grasps and holds.
Hold
To retain (one's attention or interest)
Televised sports can't hold my interest.
Grip
A part, such as a handle, that is designed to be grasped and held.
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Hold
To avoid letting out or expelling
The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
Grip
A suitcase or valise.
Hold
To be filled by; contain
This drawer holds socks.
Grip
A stagehand who helps in shifting scenery.
Hold
To be capable of holding
A pitcher that holds a quart.
Grip
A member of a film production crew who adjusts sets, lighting, and props and sometimes assists the camera operator.
Hold
To have as a chief characteristic or quality
The film holds many surprises.
Grip
Variant of grippe.
Hold
To have in store
Let's see what the future holds.
Grip
To secure and maintain a tight hold on; seize firmly.
Hold
To have and maintain in one's possession
Holds a great deal of property.
Grip
To hold the interest or attention of
A scene that gripped the entire audience.
Hold
To have as a responsible position or a privilege
Held the governorship for six years.
Grip
To maintain a secure grasp.
Hold
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority
Holds the record for the one-mile race.
Holds the respect of her peers.
Grip
(transitive) To take hold of, particularly with the hand.
That suitcase is heavy, so grip the handle firmly.
The glue will begin to grip within five minutes.
After a few slips, the tires gripped the pavement.
Hold
To maintain control over
Thieves held the stolen painting for ransom.
Grip
(transitive) Of an emotion or situation: to have a strong effect upon.
Hold
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion
Protesters held the embassy for a week.
Grip
(transitive) To firmly hold the attention of.
The movie gripped me from beginning to end.
Hold
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
Grip
(dialectal) To trench; to drain.
Hold
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action
The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
Grip
A hold or way of holding, particularly with the hand.
It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands.
The ball will move differently depending on the grip used when throwing it.
Hold
To impose control or restraint on; curb
She held her temper.
Grip
A handle or other place to grip.
The grip of a sword
There are several good grips on the northern face of this rock.
Hold
To stop the movement or progress of
Hold the presses!.
Grip
(figurative) Assistance; help or encouragement. en
He gave me a grip.
Hold
To reserve or keep back from use
Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
Grip
(figurative) A helpful, interesting, admirable, or inspiring person.
You're a real grip.
Hold
To defer the immediate handling of
The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
Grip
(figurative) Control, power or mastery over someone or something; a tenacious grasp; a holding fast.
In the grip of a blackmailer
To strengthen one's grip on a company
Hold
To own or have title to.
Grip
(slang) As much as one can hold in a hand; a handful.
I need to get a grip of nails for my project.
Hold
To be in possession of, whether legally entitled or not
Holds an interest in the company.
Grip
A visual component on a window etc. enabling it to be resized and/or moved.
Hold
To bind by a contract.
Grip
A person responsible for handling equipment on the set.
Key grip
Hold
To adjudge or decree
The court held that the defendant was at fault.
Grip
A channel cut through a grass verge (especially for the purpose of draining water away from the highway).
Hold
To make accountable; obligate
He held me to my promise.
Grip
A lot of something.
That is a grip of cheese.
Hold
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view
Holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
Grip
A long time.
I haven't seen you in a grip.
Hold
To assert or affirm, especially formally
This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
Grip
Archaic spelling of grippe
She has the grip.
Hold
To regard in a certain way
I hold you in high esteem.
Grip
A small travelling-bag or gripsack.
Hold
To cause to take place; carry on
Held the race in Texas.
Hold a yard sale.
Grip
An apparatus attached to a car for clutching a traction cable.
Hold
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene
Held a meeting of the board.
Grip
A device for grasping or holding fast to something.
Hold
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position
Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
Grip
(dialectal) A small ditch or trench; a channel to carry off water or other liquid; a drain.
Hold
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection
Held my nose against the stench.
Grip
The griffin.
Hold
To maintain a grasp or grip on something.
Grip
A small ditch or furrow.
Hold
To stay securely fastened
The chain held.
Grip
An energetic or tenacious grasp; a holding fast; strength in grasping.
Hold
To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition
Hopes the weather will hold.
Grip
A peculiar mode of clasping the hand, by which members of a secret association recognize or greet, one another; as, a masonic grip.
Hold
To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition
The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.
Grip
That by which anything is grasped; a handle or gripe; as, the grip of a sword.
Hold
To continue in the same direction
The ship held to an easterly course.
Grip
A device for grasping or holding fast to something.
Hold
To be valid, applicable, or true
The observation still holds in cases like this.
Grip
Specif., an apparatus attached to a car for clutching a traction cable.
Hold
To halt an intended action. Often used in the imperative.
Grip
A gripsack; a hand bag; a satchel or suitcase.
Hold
To stop the countdown during a missile or spacecraft launch.
Grip
The influenza; grippe.
Hold
(Slang) To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics
The suspect was holding.
Grip
To trench; to drain.
Hold
The act or a means of grasping.
Grip
To give a grip to; to grasp; to gripe.
Hold
A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido
A neck hold.
An arm hold.
Grip
The act of grasping;
He released his clasp on my arm
He has a strong grip for an old man
She kept a firm hold on the railing
Hold
Something that may be grasped or gripped, as for support.
Grip
The appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it;
He grabbed the hammer by the handle
It was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
Hold
A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position
Adjusted the horizontal hold.
Grip
A portable rectangular traveling bag for carrying clothes;
He carried his small bag onto the plane with him
Hold
A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.
Grip
The friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road)
Hold
A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated
A writer with a strong hold on her readership.
Grip
Worker who moves the camera around while a film or television show is being made
Hold
Complete control
Has a firm hold on the complex issues.
Grip
A firm controlling influence;
They kept a firm grip on the two top priorities
He was in the grip of a powerful emotion
A terrible power had her in its grasp
Hold
Full understanding
Has a good hold on physics.
Grip
A flat wire hairpin whose prongs press tightly together; used to hold bobbed hair in place;
In England they call a bobby pin a grip
Hold
The sustaining of a note longer than its indicated time value.
Grip
Hold fast or firmly;
He gripped the steering wheel
Hold
The symbol designating this pause; a fermata.
Grip
To grip or seize, as in a wrestling match;
The two men grappled with each other for several minutes
Hold
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
Grip
To render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe;
The snake charmer fascinates the cobra
Hold
A temporary halt, as in a countdown.
Hold
A prison cell.
Hold
The state of being in confinement; custody.
Hold
(Archaic) A fortified place; a stronghold.
Hold
The lower interior part of a ship or airplane where cargo is stored.
Hold
(transitive) To grasp or grip.
Hold the pencil like this.
Hold
(transitive) To contain or store.
This package holds six bottles.
Hold
(heading) To maintain or keep to a position or state.
Hold
(transitive) To have and keep possession of something.
Hold my coat for me.
The general ordered the colonel to hold his position at all costs.
Hold
(transitive) To reserve.
Hold a table for us at 7:00.
Hold
(transitive) To cause to wait or delay.
Hold the elevator.
Hold
(transitive) To detain.
Hold the suspect in this cell.
Hold
To be or remain valid; to apply (usually in the third person).
To hold true;
The proposition holds.
Hold
To keep oneself in a particular state.
To hold firm
Hold
(transitive) To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.
Hold
(transitive) To bear, carry, or manage.
He holds himself proudly erect.
Hold your head high.
Hold
Not to move; to halt; to stop.
Hold
(intransitive) Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Hold
To remain continent; to control an excretory bodily function.
To hold one's bladder;
To hold one's breath
Hold
(heading) To maintain or keep to particular opinions, promises, actions.
Hold
(transitive) To maintain, to consider, to opine.
Hold
(transitive) To bind (someone) to a consequence of his or her actions.
He was held responsible for the actions of those under his command.
I'll hold him to that promise.
Hold
To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.
Hold
To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.
Hold
(archaic) To restrain oneself; to refrain; to hold back.
Hold
To win one's own service game.
Hold
To take place, to occur.
Hold
To organise an event or meeting (usually in passive voice).
Elections will be held on the first Sunday of next month.
Hold
(archaic) To derive right or title.
Hold
(imperative) In a food or drink order at an informal restaurant etc., requesting that a component normally included in that order be omitted.
One ham-and-cheese sandwich; hold the mustard.
A martini, please, and hold the olive.
Hold
To be in possession of illicit drugs for sale.
Hold
A grasp or grip.
Keep a firm hold on the handlebars.
Hold
An act or instance of holding.
Can I have a hold of the baby?
Hold
A place where animals are held for safety
Hold
An order that something is to be reserved or delayed, limiting or preventing how it can be dealt with.
Senator X placed a hold on the bill, then went to the library and placed a hold on a book.
Hold
Something reserved or kept.
We have a hold here for you.
Hold
Power over someone or something.
Hold
The ability to persist.
Hold
The property of maintaining the shape of styled hair.
Hold
(wrestling) A position or grip used to control the opponent.
He got him in a tight hold and pinned him to the mat.
Hold
(exercise) An exercise involving holding a position for a set time
Hold
(gambling) The percentage the house wins on a gamble, the house or bookmaker's hold.
The House Hold on the game is 10,000, this is the amount of decision or risk the house wishes to assume.
Hold
(gambling) The wager amount, the total hold.
As of Monday night the total Melbourne Cup hold was $848,015
Hold
(tennis) An instance of holding one's service game, as opposed to being broken.
Hold
The part of an object one is intended to grasp, or anything one can use for grasping with hands or feet.
Hold
A fruit machine feature allowing one or more of the reels to remain fixed while the others spin.
Hold
A pause facility.
Hold
The queueing system on telephones and similar communication systems which maintains a connection when all lines are busy.
Hold
(baseball) A statistic awarded to a relief pitcher who is not still pitching at the end of the game and who records at least one out and maintains a lead for his team.
Hold
(aviation) A region of airspace reserved for aircraft being kept in a holding pattern.
Hold
The cargo area of a ship or aircraft (often holds or cargo hold).
We watched our luggage being loaded into the hold of the plane.
Hold
(obsolete) Gracious; friendly; faithful; true.
Hold
The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed.
Hold
The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; grip; possession; - often used with the verbs take and lay.
Ne have I not twelve pence within mine hold.
Thou should'st lay hold upon him.
My soul took hold on thee.
Take fast hold of instruction.
Hold
The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.
The law hath yet another hold on you.
Hold
Binding power and influence.
Fear . . . by which God and his laws take the surest hold of.
Hold
Something that may be grasped; means of support.
If a man be upon an high place without rails or good hold, he is ready to fall.
Hold
A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard.
They . . . put them in hold unto the next day.
King Richard, he is in the mighty holdOf Bolingbroke.
Hold
A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; - often called a stronghold.
New comers in an ancient hold
Hold
A character [thus ] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; - called also pause, and corona.
Hold
To cause to remain in a given situation, position, or relation, within certain limits, or the like; to prevent from falling or escaping; to sustain; to restrain; to keep in the grasp; to retain.
The loops held one curtain to another.
Thy right hand shall hold me.
They all hold swords, being expert in war.
In vain he seeks, that having can not hold.
France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, . . . A fasting tiger safer by the tooth,Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.
Hold
To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.
We mean to hold what anciently we claimOf deity or empire.
Hold
To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.
This noble merchant held a noble house.
Of him to hold his seigniory for a yearly tribute.
And now the strand, and now the plain, they held.
Hold
To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.
We can not hold mortality's strong hand.
Death! what do'st? O, hold thy blow.
He had not sufficient judgment and self-command to hold his tongue.
Hold
To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.
Hold not thy peace, and be not still.
Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost,Shall hold their course.
Hold
To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service.
I would hold more talk with thee.
Hold
To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for.
Broken cisterns that can hold no water.
One sees more devils than vast hell can hold.
Hold
To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.
Stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.
But still he held his purpose to depart.
Hold
To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.
I hold him but a fool.
I shall never hold that man my friend.
The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Hold
To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.
Let him hold his fingers thus.
O, fie! to receive favors, return falsehoods,And hold a lady in hand.
Hold
In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:
Hold
Not to move; to halt; to stop; - mostly in the imperative.
And damned be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!"
Hold
Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Our force by land hath nobly held.
Hold
Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.
While our obedience holds.
The rule holds in land as all other commodities.
Hold
Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave; - often with with, to, or for.
He will hold to the one and despise the other.
Hold
To restrain one's self; to refrain.
His dauntless heart would fain have heldFrom weeping, but his eyes rebelled.
Hold
To derive right or title; - generally with of.
My crown is absolute, and holds of none.
His imagination holds immediately from nature.
Hold
The act of grasping;
He released his clasp on my arm
He has a strong grip for an old man
She kept a firm hold on the railing
Hold
Understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something;
He has a good grasp of accounting practices
Hold
Power by which something or someone is affected or dominated;
He has a hold over them
Hold
Time during which some action is awaited;
Instant replay caused too long a delay
He ordered a hold in the action
Hold
A state of being confined (usually for a short time);
His detention was politically motivated
The prisoner is on hold
He is in the custody of police
Hold
A stronghold
Hold
A cell in a jail or prison
Hold
The appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it;
He grabbed the hammer by the handle
It was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
Hold
The space in a ship or aircraft for storing cargo
Hold
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Hold
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Hold
Have or hold in one's hands or grip;
Hold this bowl for a moment, please
A crazy idea took hold of him
Hold
To close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
This holds the local until the express passengers change trains
About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade
The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center
The terrorists held the journalists for ransom
Hold
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
Hold
Have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense;
She has $1,000 in the bank
He has got two beautiful daughters
She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
Hold
Keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view;
Take for granted
View as important
Hold these truths to be self-evident
I hold him personally responsible
Hold
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Hold
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
Moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
Hold your temper
Control your anger
Hold
Remain in a certain state, position, or condition;
The weather held
They held on the road and kept marching
Hold
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);
Bear a grudge
Entertain interesting notions
Harbor a resentment
Hold
Assert or affirm;
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
Hold
Remain committed to;
I hold to these ideas
Hold
Secure and keep for possible future use or application;
The landlord retained the security deposit
I reserve the right to disagree
Hold
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of;
The beam holds up the roof
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
What's holding that mirror?
Hold
Hold the attention of;
The soprano held the audience
This story held our interest
She can hold an audience spellbound
Hold
Keep from exhaling or expelling;
Hold your breath
Hold
Support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
Hold
Have room for; hold without crowding;
This hotel can accommodate 250 guests
The theater admits 300 people
The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
Hold
Be capable of holding or containing;
This box won't take all the items
The flask holds one gallon
Hold
Be valid, applicable, or true;
This theory still holds
Hold
Take and maintain control over, often by violent means;
The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
Hold
Protect against a challenge or attack;
Hold that position behind the trees!
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
Hold
Declare to be;
She was declared incompetent
Judge held that the defendant was innocent
Hold
Have as a major characteristic;
The novel holds many surprises
The book holds in store much valuable advise
Hold
Cause to stop;
Halt the engines
Arrest the progress
Halt the presses
Hold
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;
He's held by a contract
I'll hold you by your promise
Hold
Cover as for protection against noise or smell;
She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
Hold one's nose
Hold
Drink alcohol without showing ill effects;
He can hold his liquor
He had drunk more than he could carry
Hold
Be pertinent or relevant or applicable;
The same laws apply to you!
This theory holds for all irrational numbers
The same rules go for everyone
Hold
Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance;
Reserve me a seat on a flight
The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
Please hold a table at Maxim's
Hold
Resist or confront with resistance;
The politician defied public opinion
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
The bridge held
Hold
Keep from departing;
Hold the taxi
Hold the horse
Hold
Stop dealing with;
Hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
Hold
Aim, point, or direct;
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
Hold
Be in accord; be in agreement;
We agreed on the terms of the settlement
I can't agree with you!
I hold with those who say life is sacred
Both philosophers concord on this point