or hold onto
1.
If you ~ something that gives you an advantage, you succeed in keeping it for yourself, and prevent it from being taken away or given to someone else.
Firms are now keen to ~ the people they recruit.
...a politician who knew how to hold onto power.
PHRASAL VERB: V P P n, V P n
2.
If you ~ something, you keep it for a longer time than would normally be expected.
Do you think you could ~ that report for the next day or two?...
People hold onto letters for years and years.
= keep
PHRASAL VERB: V P P n, V P n
3.
If you ~ your beliefs, ideas, or principles, you continue to believe in them and do not change or abandon them if others try to influence you or if circumstances cause you to doubt them.
He was imprisoned for 19 years yet held on to his belief in his people.
PHRASAL VERB: V P P n