Phrasal verbs "be down" vs "hold down"

Differences between be down and hold down

Be down means to be willing or available to do something, while hold down means to maintain or keep a job or position.

Meanings and Definitions: be down vs hold down

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be down

• 1. Be depressed.

  He's BEEN DOWN since his partner left him.

• 2. Be reduced or less.

  The firm's profits ARE DOWN by ten percent this quarter.

Hold down

• 1. Keep a job.

  He's so unreliable that he can never HOLD DOWN a job for more than a couple of months.

• 2. Stop someone or something from moving.

  It took four of us to HOLD him DOWN and stop the fight.

Usage Examples: be down, hold down in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

be down

Example

She is down because she didn't get the job.

Example

He is down after his team lost the game.

hold down

Example

She is able to hold down a full-time job while studying.

Example

He holds down two part-time jobs to support his family.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be down

be up for

To be willing or interested in doing something.

Example

Are you up for going to the movies tonight?

be game for

To be willing or eager to participate in an activity.

Example

She's always game for trying new foods and recipes.

be available for

To have time or be free to do something.

Example

Is he available for a meeting tomorrow afternoon?

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hold down

keep a job

To maintain employment at a particular company or organization.

Example

He's been able to keep his job despite the company's recent layoffs.

maintain a position

To continue to hold a particular job or role within an organization.

Example

She's been able to maintain her position as team leader due to her strong leadership skills.

retain a job

To keep or hold onto a job despite challenges or changes within the company or industry.

Example

The company's restructuring plan allowed many employees to retain their jobs and avoid layoffs.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

• be up
• be after
• be cut out for
• be up for
• be away

Phrasal Verbs with “hold”

• hold out on
• hold off
• hold against
• hold in
• hold out

Phrasal Verbs with “down”

• damp down
• narrow down
• dumb down
• clamp down
• stick down

Differences in be down vs hold down: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be down or hold down?

In daily conversation, people use be down more often than hold down. This is because be down is used to express willingness or availability for various activities, while hold down is mainly used in the context of employment or job-related situations. So, while both phrases are used, be down is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be down and hold down

Be down and hold down are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be down and hold down

The tone of be down and hold down can differ based on context. Be down often carries a casual and friendly tone when expressing willingness or availability, while hold down typically has a more serious and responsible tone, especially when referring to maintaining a job or position.

be down & hold down: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be down

Synonyms

• feel sad
• be depressed
• be unhappy
• be upset
• be low
• be disheartened

Antonyms

• be happy
• be cheerful
• be elated
• be joyful
• be content
• be satisfied

Hold down

Synonyms

• maintain
• keep
• retain
• sustain
• manage
• secure
• preserve
• continue

Antonyms

• lose
• quit
• abandon
• relinquish
• resign
• leave
• forsake
• give up