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 Saudi foreign minister has also suggested that the kingdom is willing to use its economic muscle to help a final deal take hold.
—Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2025
After the pandemic took hold, his only gig that didn’t disappear in an instant was a once-a-week music job at Promise Church in Escondido.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
Bigg’s candid confession shared how deep his addiction had taken hold.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
Consumer attitudes have soured for four consecutive months as tariffs have taken hold, according to a survey conducted by the University of Michigan.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take hold
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Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2025
After the pandemic took hold, his only gig that didn’t disappear in an instant was a once-a-week music job at Promise Church in Escondido.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
Bigg’s candid confession shared how deep his addiction had taken hold.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025
Consumer attitudes have soured for four consecutive months as tariffs have taken hold, according to a survey conducted by the University of Michigan.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 June 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 17 Jun. 2025.
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