Definition of hold onto

The expression "hold onto" has been in use in the English language for several centuries. Its origin can be traced back to the Old English word "hāldan," meaning "to hold." Originally, the phrase "hold onto" was "holde unto," with the preposition "unto" indicating the object that one is holding onto. This form was still in use in the 16th century. Over time, the phrase evolved to its current form. The preposition "onto," which replaced "unto," is believed to have come from Old Norse, a language spoken by the Vikings who invaded England in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. The exact origins of this specific preposition are unclear, but it is thought that "onto" may have developed from a contraction of the Old Norse phrase "an-tā," meaning "up to." This suggests that "onto" may have originally indicated a motion towards something. By the 18th century, "hold onto" had become a common idiom in the English language. Today, it is used to mean "to keep or maintain possession of something" or "to continue to hold onto something as a means of support or security." Overall, the expression "hold onto" is a testament to the enduring nature of the English language, which has incorporated words from a variety of sources, both historical and linguistic, over the centuries.