Meaning of hold hard | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To stubbornly resist assault, pressure or opposition, either physically or mentally.
   figuratively, idiomatic
2. To stop suddenly and remain still.
   UK, dated, figuratively, imperative, often
3. A formal command to a ship's crew to grasp and hold on to a solid fitting, such as ropes or rails, to avoid being swept overboard, especially during a storm.

Examples

“I would sooner walk⟳ in the dark, and hold⟳ hard to a promise⟳ of my God, than trust⟳ in the light⟳ of the brightest day that ever dawned.”

“You must hold⟳ hard to life and do it. But life is a cheap thing beside a man's work⟳. The only thing is that you need⟳ it. Hold⟳ it tight.”

“All hands...hold⟳ hard!”

“They were all on the bridge when the real force⟳ of the hurricane struck the ship. He had no idea where they had crawled to. Under the circumstances they were nowhere, for all the use⟳ that could be made of them. Somehow the Captain's wish⟳ to know⟳ distressed Jukes. "Want⟳ the hands, sir?" he cried, apprehensively. "Ought to know⟳," asserted Captain MacWhirr. "Hold⟳ hard!" They held hard. An outburst of unchained fury, a vicious rush⟳ of the wind absolutely steadied the ship; she rocked only, quick and light⟳ like⟳ a child's cradle, for a terrific moment of suspense, while the whole atmosphere, as it seemed, streamed furiously past her, roaring away from the tenebrous earth.”

“Captain MacWhirr had his mate's head fixed firm in the crook of his elbow, and pressed it to his yelling lips mysteriously. Sometimes Jukes would break⟳ in, admonishing hastily: "Look⟳ out, sir!" or Captain MacWhirr would bawl an earnest exhortation to "Hold⟳ hard, there!" and the whole black universe seemed to reel together with the ship.”

“Hold⟳ hard: here come⟳ the sheep.”

CEFR level