PHRASAL VERBS WITH HOLD — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
C1–C2 · AdvancedHold forms a number of important phrasal verbs, several of which relate to the ideas of waiting, delaying, or restraining. Definitions are provided in brackets throughout.
Choose the correct preposition or particle to complete each of the following sentences.
1.He held ________ (= robbed) a bank in Sydney.
Correct answer: up — hold up = rob someone or somewhere at gunpoint.
2.Hold ________! = Wait!
Correct answer: on — hold on = wait.
3.You might want to hold ________ getting another mortgage. = You might want to wait before getting another mortgage.
Correct answer: off on — hold off on = delay doing something.
4.She was holding ________ a miracle. = She was hoping a miracle would happen.
Correct answer: out for — hold out for = hope for or wait for something specific.
5.He couldn't hold ________ his feelings any longer.
Correct answer: back — hold back = restrain oneself from expressing an emotion.
6.My brother has never been able to hold ________ a job (= to keep a job) for longer than six months.
Correct answer: down — hold down a job = keep a job over a period of time.
7.The government troops tried to capture the city, but the rebels held them ________. (= prevented them from doing this)
Correct answer: off — hold off = keep someone or something at a distance; resist.
8.The phone was being held ________ by tape.
Correct answer: together — hold together = keep from falling apart.
9.The flight to Adelaide was held ________ (= delayed) due to bad weather.
Correct answer: up — hold up = delay.
10.He held ________ the belief that she loved him. = He continued to believe that she loved him.
Correct answer: to — hold to = continue to believe or follow something.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Phrasal verbs with break 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with call 1 (C1/C2)
Related preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: antonyms 1
Prepositions in idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions with phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all phrasal verb exercises →
More phrasal verb exercises:
Phrasal verbs with get 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with get 2 (C1/C2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed phrasal verbs 2 (B1/B2)
Phrasal verbs with break 1 (C1/C2)
Phrasal verbs with call 1 (C1/C2)
Related preposition & idiom exercises:
Prepositions: antonyms 1
Prepositions in idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions in idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions with phrasal verbs 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all phrasal verb exercises →
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