1
general::
Phrase(s): hold someone or an animal down
1. Lit. to keep someone, something, or an animal down. • The heavy beam held him down, and he could not rise. • The owner held down his pet while the vet treated the injured paw. 2. Fig. to prevent someone or something from advancing. • I had a disability that held me down in life. • Too much debt held down the company while others profited.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Also, keep down. Limit, restrain, as in Please hold down the noise. [First half of 1500s] Also see KEEP DOWN. 2. Work at or discharge one's duties satisfactorily, as in He managed to hold down two jobs at the same time. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms