take hold
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 phrase took hold before the World Cup during a news conference ahead of the Liga MX playoffs.
—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
The company may be showing some signs of financial stabilization, but sustaining a turnaround will depend on whether change takes hold throughout the entire organization.
—
Andrew Staples,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
Still, the circular design took hold in the popular imagination, giving it added meaning this anniversary.
—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
3 July 2026
On Day 4, one of tennis’ more familiar rules took hold, American hopes were set for the July 4 weekend and the upsets of last year gave way to chalk.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for take hold
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Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
The company may be showing some signs of financial stabilization, but sustaining a turnaround will depend on whether change takes hold throughout the entire organization.
—
Andrew Staples,
Fortune,
3 July 2026
Still, the circular design took hold in the popular imagination, giving it added meaning this anniversary.
—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
3 July 2026
On Day 4, one of tennis’ more familiar rules took hold, American hopes were set for the July 4 weekend and the upsets of last year gave way to chalk.
—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
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 6 Jul. 2026.
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