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
The injuries that eventually cut the third baseman’s career short began to take hold right before Forde lost a years-long battle with breast cancer.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
Some analysts expect price increases to accelerate over the coming months as tariffs take hold, though many have acknowledged that the path forward remains unclear amid Trump's fluctuating policies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 July 2025
In turn, agencies are eager to take hold of a new captive audience, striking while the iron is hot to lead a new generation of influencer into a booming market.
—Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2025
To manage the humidity in your home, take hold of the reins on the air that comes and goes.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take hold
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Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025
Some analysts expect price increases to accelerate over the coming months as tariffs take hold, though many have acknowledged that the path forward remains unclear amid Trump's fluctuating policies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 July 2025
In turn, agencies are eager to take hold of a new captive audience, striking while the iron is hot to lead a new generation of influencer into a booming market.
—Kazuma Hashimoto, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2025
To manage the humidity in your home, take hold of the reins on the air that comes and goes.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 July 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 24 Jul. 2025.
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