Get hold of somebody
phrase
To contact or communicate with someone, typically by phone.
I've been trying to get hold of you all morning. Where have you been?

Often appears as...
- get hold of someone on the phone
- finally get hold of someone
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
To grab or seize someone physically.
The officer managed to get hold of the suspect before he could escape.

Often appears as...
- can't get hold of someone
- firmly get hold of someone
phrase
To contact or communicate with someone, typically by phone.
I've been trying to get hold of you all morning. Where have you been?

Often appears as...
- get hold of someone on the phone
- finally get hold of someone
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
To grab or seize someone physically.
The officer managed to get hold of the suspect before he could escape.

Often appears as...
- can't get hold of someone
- firmly get hold of someone
Definition 1 of 2

Urgency Context
Used when needing to speak to someone soon, often for something important or time-sensitive.

Please get hold of the doctor immediately; it's an emergency.
Not Face-to-Face
Implies attempting to reach someone through indirect means like phone or email, not in person.

Could you get hold of the client via email to confirm the meeting?
Expressing Difficulty
Indicates that making contact with someone may be challenging or that they're hard to reach.

I've been trying to get hold of you all day, are you avoiding your phone?
Urgency Context
Used when needing to speak to someone soon, often for something important or time-sensitive.

Please get hold of the doctor immediately; it's an emergency.
Not Face-to-Face
Implies attempting to reach someone through indirect means like phone or email, not in person.

Could you get hold of the client via email to confirm the meeting?
Expressing Difficulty
Indicates that making contact with someone may be challenging or that they're hard to reach.

I've been trying to get hold of you all day, are you avoiding your phone?
Urgency Context
Used when needing to speak to someone soon, often for something important or time-sensitive.

Please get hold of the doctor immediately; it's an emergency.
Not Face-to-Face
Implies attempting to reach someone through indirect means like phone or email, not in person.

Could you get hold of the client via email to confirm the meeting?
Expressing Difficulty
Indicates that making contact with someone may be challenging or that they're hard to reach.

I've been trying to get hold of you all day, are you avoiding your phone?
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