hold to

To make someone keep a promise or meet a particular standard.

• I will hold you to that promise.
• The coach held every player to the same standard.
• Can we hold the company to its agreement?

How to use it: hold someone to something (I will hold you to your promise.)

Similar words: bind, oblige

Common phrases: hold someone to something, hold someone to account

To keep a belief or keep telling the same story despite pressure to change it.

• She held to her story.
• They hold to their principles even when it costs them money.
• Will he hold to his position under pressure?

How to use it: hold to something (He held to his original account despite repeated questions.)

Similar words: stick to, stand by, cling to

Opposites: abandon

Common phrases: hold to something, hold to your story

To believe in an idea or agree with an opinion.

• I hold to that view.
• She held to the belief that people are basically kind.
• Do you hold to the theory that dreams have hidden meanings?

How to use it: hold to something (They hold to the belief that education should be free.)

Similar words: believe in, subscribe to

Opposites: reject

Common phrases: hold to a belief, hold to a view

To act according to a rule, plan, or agreed way of doing something.

• We must hold to the rules.
• The team held to its original plan throughout the project.
• Can you hold to this schedule for another week?

How to use it: hold to something (Please hold to the agreed schedule.)

Similar words: follow, adhere to, keep to

Opposites: disregard

Common phrases: hold to a plan, hold to the rules