Definition of hold on

The phrase "hold on" is a common expression used in English, often employed to urge someone to remain in a specific position or to wait a little longer. The origin of this expression can be traced back to the Old English period, around the 11th century. At that time, "haldon" was a verb meaning "to seize" or "to grasp." It was derived from the Old Norse words "haldre" or "haldanr," which also signified "holding" or "grip." Subsequently, during the Middle English era, around the 14th century, "haltoun" transformed into "holten" in its transitive form. It meant "to hold" or "to retain." Over time, this English word came to serve as a preposition as well, signifying "in the possession of" or "belonging to." The phrase "hold on" is a colloquial version of the transitive verb "to hold," which has evolved from its Original English form. The expression "hold on" is a simple and imperative phrase commonly used to direct someone to retain their position or wait for a short while, as it lessens the emphasis on the transitive verb's past participle "-en," which was added to the verb during the Middle English era. Thus, the simplified expression "hold on" acquired widespread use over time, due in part to its concise and straightforward nature, which has contributed to its popularization in modern-day English.