Phrasal Verbs
- 1to prevent someone from moving, using force It took three men to hold him down.
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- 2to prevent someone from having their freedom or rights The people are held down by a repressive regime.
- 1to keep something at a low level The rate of inflation must be held down.
- 2[no passive] to keep a job for some time He was unable to hold down a job after his breakdown.
- 3[no passive] (informal) to limit something, especially a noise Hold it down, will you? I'm trying to sleep!