holddown

[ hohld-doun ]

/ ˈhoʊldˌdaʊn /

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noun

a clamp for holding a metal piece, as a sheet being deep-drawn, to prevent distortion or movement.

restraint or limitation short of reduction, especially on costs: a substantial holddown on military spending.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of holddown

First recorded in 1885–90; noun use of verb phrase hold down

Words nearby holddown

hold all the aces, hold at bay, holdback, hold button, hold court, holddown, hold 'em, holden, holder, Hölder condition, holder in due course

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for holddown

hold down

verb (tr, adverb)

to restrain or control

informal to manage to retain or keep possession ofto hold down two jobs at once

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with holddown

hold down

Also, keep down. Limit, restrain, as in Please hold down the noise. [First half of 1500s] Also see keep down.

Work at or discharge one's duties satisfactorily, as in He managed to hold down two jobs at the same time. [Colloquial; 1800s]