How to say “hold on” like a native speaker
Ask someone to wait briefly, or tell them to keep a firm grip. It can also interrupt a conversation when you notice something that needs checking.
All phrases · Common idioms
Hear “hold on” in real speech
Clip 1 · J.J. Abrams
The mystery box | JJ Abrams · 0:14
About this video
J. J. Abrams discusses why mystery matters to him in storytelling. He refers to questions about Lost and uses the idea of a mystery box to think about how stories hold an audience's attention.
In context
Here's my thing.Hold on. There I go. Hey.
I want to start today -- talk about the structure of a polypeptide.
Clip 2 · VOA Learning English
Sew and Knit, Adverbs, Yellowstone, Open Boat 2 · 26:53
About this video
Caty Weaver and Mario Ritter Jr. introduce a VOA Learning English programme with language lessons and stories. Topics include sewing and knitting, adverbs, Yellowstone and a reading of The Open Boat.
In context
But the current suddenly changed and he was able to swim toward the shore.The captain called to him to swim to the boat and hold on.
The reporter started to swim toward the boat.
Clip 3 · Derek Sivers
The "good enough" life choice : Derek Sivers at TEDxTaipei 2012 · 14:13
About this video
Derek Sivers talks about choosing a life that feels good enough rather than following a single expected path. He invites audience participation and discusses trying unfamiliar experiences, including moving to another country.
In context
And what I love the most about it is that I'm trying to memorize how to write these characters.Oh well! That's no... wait hold on. It was translated. That's funny!
It's somewhere between my computer and their computer...
When to use “hold on”
- Asking a caller to wait: “Hold on, I'll get a pen.”
- Warning someone on a moving bus: “Hold on to the rail.”
Common learner mistake
When naming what to grip, keep “to”: “hold on to the handle”, not “hold on the handle”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “hold on”
Link the D in “hold” into “on”. Keep the vowel movement of “hold” instead of flattening it into a short vowel.
Related phrases
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You don't need to speak fast.
A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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