Definition of hold down

The expression "hold down" originated in the mid-19th century as a nautical term used on ships to describe the action of keeping a rope or line in place to prevent it from slipping or moving. The verb "hold" in this context meant to keep or maintain grip, while "down" referred to the direction of the line. As sailing and maritime activity became more connected to commerce and industry, the term "hold down" began to be used in land-based contexts, especially in relation to keeping people or objects in place and preventing them from moving or causing disturbance. This use of the expression is now common in a variety of fields, from manufacturing and production to customer service and customer support. In computer terminology, "hold down" is often used to refer to pressing and holding down a key or button on a keyboard or touchpad, typically to perform a specific function or initiate a command. This usage has also been adopted in interactive media, such as video games, where "hold down" is used to describe the action of pressing and holding down a key or button to execute a sustained action. In summary, the expression "hold down" has evolved from its maritime origins to become a versatile phrase used in daily language to communicate actions and interactions involving keeping things in place or controlling movement.