ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hold it together

idiom
Meaning

Synonym of cope: to remain calm in adversity, to successfully manage one's difficulties.


Origin

disputed origin

Variant of hold together.

Examples
SIMPLE

It is hard to hold it together when you are stressed.

CONTEXTUAL

She took a deep breath to hold it together while the manager criticized her work in front of the team.

COMPLEX

Despite the sudden collapse of his business, he managed to hold it together long enough to ensure his employees received their final paychecks.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    apron-string hold

    An estate held by a man during his wife's life.

  2. 02

    band together

    to unite, to come together

  3. 03

    bang some heads together

    Attempt to get results from a previously ineffectual or argumentative group, typically by coercion or force.

  4. 04

    birds of a feather flock together

    People of similar character, background or taste tend to congregate or associate with one another; it is easier to establish friendships with people that one has a lot in common with.

  5. 05

    bring together

    To cause people to do something together; to bring about togetherness.

  6. 06

    buy and hold

    A passive investment strategy where an investor purchases an asset and retains it for many years, rather than trading it frequently.

  7. 07

    don't hold your breath

    Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen soon or at all.

  8. 08

    get one's act together

    To become serious, organized, worthwhile, etc.

Last updated April 17, 2026