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Phrasal verbs "hold on" vs "latch on"

Differences between hold on and latch on

Hold on usually means to wait or pause for a moment, whereas latch on generally means to grab onto something tightly or to understand something quickly and easily.

Meanings and Definitions: hold on vs latch on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hold on

  • 1Wait.

    Could you HOLD ON for a minute; she'll be free in a moment.

  • 2To hold tightly.

    We HELD ON as the bus started to move.

Latch on

  • 1Understand, often after a long time.

    They were lying, but it took her ages to LATCH ON.

Usage Examples: hold on, latch on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

hold on

Example

Please hold on while I find the document you need.

Example

She holds on to the railing when going down the stairs.

latch on

Example

It took him a while to latch on to the new software.

Example

She eventually latches on to the fact that they were lying.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hold on

wait a minute

To ask someone to pause or wait for a short period of time.

Example

Can you wait a minute while I finish this email?

hang on

To wait or pause for a moment, often used in a more urgent or impatient tone.

Example

I need you to hang on for just a few more minutes while I finish this task.

keep hold of

To maintain a firm grip or control over something.

Example

Make sure you keep hold of the rope while we climb up the hill.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Latch on

catch on

To understand or grasp something quickly and easily.

Example

She caught on to the new software program after just a few minutes of training.

get the hang of

To learn or become accustomed to doing something skillful or complex.

Example

With practice, she started to get the hang of playing the guitar and even wrote her first song.

seize upon

To eagerly take advantage of an opportunity or idea.

Example

The marketing team seized upon the new trend and created a successful ad campaign around it.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “hold”

Phrasal Verbs with “latch”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in hold on vs latch on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: hold on or latch on?

In daily conversation, people use hold on more often than latch on. This is because hold on is used in many different contexts, such as asking someone to wait on the phone or to hold onto something physically. Latch on is less common and is mainly used when talking about understanding something quickly or grabbing onto something tightly.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of hold on and latch on

Hold on and latch on are both 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 hold on and latch on

The tone of hold on and latch on can differ based on context. Hold on often carries a patient or urgent tone when related to waiting or holding onto something, while latch on typically has a confident and enthusiastic tone, especially when referring to understanding something quickly or grabbing onto something tightly.

hold on & latch on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Hold on

Synonyms

Latch on

Synonyms

Antonyms

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