hold the line

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Explanation of "Hold the Line"

Definition: The phrase "hold the line" can have a few meanings. Most commonly, it means to ask someone to stay on the phone and wait for a moment while you do something else. It can also mean to keep something at the same level, like prices or standards, without increasing or decreasing them.

Usage Instructions:

1. In a Phone Conversation:

   • When you need someone to wait while you find information or talk to someone else, you can say "Hold the line, please."

2. In Business/Finance:

   • When discussing prices, if a company wants to keep their prices the same instead of raising them, they might say, "We will hold the line on prices."

Examples:

1. Phone Conversation:

   • "Hold the line, please. I'll be right back with the information you need."

2. Business Context:

   • "To remain competitive, we must hold the line on prices despite rising costs."

Advanced Usage:

• In a more formal context, "hold the line" can be used in discussions about policies, such as "The government has decided to hold the line on spending to avoid increasing the national debt."

Word Variants:

• Hold (verb): To grasp or support.
• Line (noun): A long, narrow mark or band.

Different Meanings:

1. Military Context:

   • In a military context, "hold the line" can mean to maintain a defensive position against an attack.

2. Emotional Context:

   • It can also mean to maintain a certain emotional state or boundary, as in "hold the line on your principles."

Synonyms:

• For Phone Context:

  • "Please wait."
  • "Hang on."

• For Business Context:

  • "Maintain prices."
  • "Stabilize costs."

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Hang on": Similar to "hold the line," it means to wait for a short time.
• "Keep the status quo": To maintain existing conditions or situations.

Summary:

"Hold the line" is a versatile phrase used mainly in phone conversations and business contexts. It can mean to ask someone to wait or to keep prices steady.

Academic

Verb

1. hold the phone line open
   • Please hang on while I get your folder
2. hold the line on prices; keep the price of something constant

Synonyms

• hang on
• hold on