hold together: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  generaltransitiveliteral
  • To cause parts to remain joined or to keep something intact.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The glue held together the broken vase perfectly after the careful repair.

    The glue kept the broken vase parts joined completely after the repair.

  • She used stitches to hold together the torn fabric before sewing the final seam.

    She temporarily joined the ripped fabric with stitches before completing the sewing.

  • The bolts held together the frame, ensuring it was sturdy enough to support the weight.

    The bolts kept the frame parts connected, making sure it was strong enough to bear weight.

  • If the nails don’t hold together well, the wooden box might fall apart during transport.

    If the nails don’t keep the parts joined securely, the wooden box could break during moving.

• 2.

  generalintransitiveliteral
  • To remain joined, intact, or structurally sound.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The old bridge still holds together despite years of heavy traffic and weather wear.

    The aged bridge remains intact even after many years of heavy use and weather damage.

  • Will this bookshelf hold together once we load it with all these heavy textbooks?

    Will this bookshelf stay intact when filled with all these heavy books?

  • The tent held together through the storm, protecting the campers from the rain and wind.

    The tent remained structurally sound during the storm, shielding the campers.

  • Although the old sweater is worn, it still holds together well enough to wear out in the cold.

    Though the sweater is old and worn, it remains intact enough to be worn in cold weather.

• 3.

  generalidiomaticfigurative
  • To maintain cohesion or unity within a group or system; to prevent breakup.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The team managed to hold together during the crisis, avoiding any splits or conflicts.

    The group stayed united during the difficult time, preventing divisions or disputes.

  • It's impressive how the community held together despite the recent hardships and challenges.

    It is remarkable how the community remained united despite recent difficulties.

  • They needed to hold together if they wanted to complete the project before the deadline.

    They had to stay united to finish the project on time.

• 4.

  generalidiomaticcolloquialfigurative
  • To maintain composure or emotional self-control in the face of stress or adversity.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Even though she was devastated by the news, she managed to hold together until she was alone.

    Although deeply upset, she kept her composure until she was by herself.

  • He couldn’t hold together during the trial and broke down in tears on the witness stand.

    He lost his emotional self-control and cried during the trial.

  • To succeed in this job, you have to hold together under pressure and stay focused on your goals.

    To do well in this role, you must maintain composure when stressed and keep your focus.

• 5.

  generalidiomaticfigurative
  • To be coherent or logically consistent as a whole.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The explanation didn’t hold together logically, so the committee asked for a clearer presentation.

    The reasoning was not coherent, so the committee requested a more understandable presentation.

  • Her argument holds together well when you consider all the evidence she provided.

    Her argument is logically consistent when all the evidence is taken into account.

  • The story fails to hold together because of too many plot holes and inconsistencies.

    The story is not coherent due to numerous plot gaps and contradictions.