take hold
idiomatic phrase
1
: to grasp, grip, or seize something
took hold and hung on tight
—often used with oftake hold of the railing
… she took hold of his arm with both her hands, and looked up eagerly—oh, with such terrible eagerness!—into his face.—
Anthony Trollope
—often used figurativelyAnthony TrollopeAs word of the subpoenas spread … confusion and hysteria took hold of the social set …—Bob Colacello
Bob ColacelloI did not want Merlin to retire from the job until I was ready to take hold of it effectively myself …—Mark Twain
Mark Twain2
: to become effective, established, or popular
The change in the law has not yet taken hold.
… a swath of land that has been spared from lava flows long enough that rich vegetation has had a chance to take hold.—G. Brad Lewis
G. Brad Lewis… here in central California the French aesthetic has recently taken hold.—Rebecca Coffey
Rebecca CoffeyExamples of take hold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As fear and prejudice take hold, Lidia and her family must navigate the growing hysteria surrounding queerness, disease and desire in a deeply patriarchal society.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
While Hilaria naturally assumed Alec wanted to dance with her, her husband jokingly took hold of Savchenko instead.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
Depression took hold, and dark days stretched on.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
The group, though greatly weakened after two years of Israeli bombardment and ground incursions, has been gradually reasserting itself since the ceasefire took hold.
—Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take hold
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Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
While Hilaria naturally assumed Alec wanted to dance with her, her husband jokingly took hold of Savchenko instead.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
Depression took hold, and dark days stretched on.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
The group, though greatly weakened after two years of Israeli bombardment and ground incursions, has been gradually reasserting itself since the ceasefire took hold.
—Maayan Lubell, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take hold
Cite this Entry
“Take hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20hold. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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