or ~to
1.
If you ~, or ~to something, you keep your hand on it or around it, for example to prevent the thing from falling or to support yourself.
His right arm was extended up beside his head, still holding on to a coffee cup...
He was struggling to ~to a rock on the face of the cliff...
Despite her aching shoulders, Nancy held on.
PHRASAL VERB: V P to n, V P n, V P
2.
If you ~, you manage to achieve success or avoid failure in spite of great difficulties or opposition.
This Government deserved to lose power a year ago. It held on.
PHRASAL VERB: V P
3.
If you ask someone to ~, you are asking them to wait for a short time. (SPOKEN)
The manager asked him to ~ while he investigated.
= hang on
PHRASAL VERB: V P