Definition

1. Noun:
   • A limitation, restriction, or constraint: A "hold-down" is an act or policy of limiting or keeping something, such as spending, growth, or prices, at a low or reduced level.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The new policy is a hold-down on unnecessary expenses.
  • The mayor promised a hold-down on property taxes this year.
  • The company announced a hold-down on hiring until the next quarter.

Advanced Usage

• "to put a hold-down on (something)": To implement a limitation or restriction on something.
  • The board voted to put a hold-down on all non-essential travel.

Variants and Related Words

• Hold down (phrasal verb): To keep something at a low level; to physically restrain; to manage to keep a job.
  • The government is trying to hold down inflation.
  • It took three officers to hold him down.
  • She has held down a demanding job for ten years.

Synonyms

• Limitation: A restricting rule or circumstance.
• Restriction: A limiting condition or measure.
• Cap: An upper limit set on something.
• Constraint: A limitation or restriction.

Related Phrases

• Wage freeze / Hiring freeze / Spending freeze: Specific types of hold-downs on wages, hiring, or spending.
• Cost control: The practice of managing and limiting expenses.

Noun

1. a limitation or constraint
   • taxpayers want a hold-down on government spending