v. 1. To keep holding tightly; continue to hold strongly. As Ted was pulling on the rope, it began to slip and Earl cried, "Hold on, Ted!"
Synonym: HANG ON. 2. To wait and not hang up a telephone; keep a phone for later use. Mr. Jones asked me to hold on while he spoke to his secretary. 3. To keep on with a business or job in spite of difficulties. It was hard to keep the store going during the depression, but Max held on and at last met with success. 4. informal To wait a minute; stop. Usually used as a command. "Hold on!" John's father said, "I want the car tonight."