1
general::
Phrase(s): hold someone or something over
to retain someone or something (for a period of time). • The storm held John over for another day. • The manager held over the hit movie for another week., Phrase(s): hold something over someone(‘s head)
Fig. to have knowledge of something about a person and to use that knowledge to control the person. • So I made a mistake when I was young. Are you going to hold that over my head all my life? • Please don’t hold that over me anymore.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Postpone or delay, as in Let's hold this matter over until the next meeting. [Mid-1800s] 2. Keep something in a position or state beyond the normal period, as in The film was to be held over for another week. [First half of 1900s] 3. Continue in office past the normal period, as in The committee chair held over until they could find a suitable replacement. [Mid-1600s] 4. Hold something over someone. Have an advantage or use a threat to control someone. For example, They knew he'd been caught shoplifting and were sure to hold it over him. [Second half of 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms