Hold against
verb
To blame or criticize someone because of something they have done or not done.
I hope you won't hold it against me if I can't come to your party.
Often appears as...
- hold it against someone
- hold something against someone
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To consider or judge something in relation to something else.
When applying for a job, your skills and qualifications will be held against the requirements of the job.
Often appears as...
- hold something against something else
- hold qualifications against requirements
verb
To physically press something against something else.
He held the picture against the wall to see how it would look.
Often appears as...
- hold something against something else
- hold object against wall
verb
To blame or criticize someone because of something they have done or not done.
I hope you won't hold it against me if I can't come to your party.
Often appears as...
- hold it against someone
- hold something against someone
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To consider or judge something in relation to something else.
When applying for a job, your skills and qualifications will be held against the requirements of the job.
Often appears as...
- hold something against something else
- hold qualifications against requirements
verb
To physically press something against something else.
He held the picture against the wall to see how it would look.
Often appears as...
- hold something against something else
- hold object against wall
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Using 'hold against' indicates emotional burden or lingering negative feelings about someone's actions.
Even years later, she held it against him for missing the wedding.
Pro Tip 2/3Forbearance Appeal
Often used to ask for understanding or to excuse a foreseeable mistake or absence.
Please don't hold it against me; I was really sick yesterday.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjective Nature
The phrase is subjective; what one person holds against someone may vary greatly from another's perspective.
I know you're upset, but I don't hold it against her.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Using 'hold against' indicates emotional burden or lingering negative feelings about someone's actions.
Even years later, she held it against him for missing the wedding.
Pro Tip 2/3Forbearance Appeal
Often used to ask for understanding or to excuse a foreseeable mistake or absence.
Please don't hold it against me; I was really sick yesterday.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjective Nature
The phrase is subjective; what one person holds against someone may vary greatly from another's perspective.
I know you're upset, but I don't hold it against her.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Using 'hold against' indicates emotional burden or lingering negative feelings about someone's actions.
Even years later, she held it against him for missing the wedding.
Pro Tip 2/3Forbearance Appeal
Often used to ask for understanding or to excuse a foreseeable mistake or absence.
Please don't hold it against me; I was really sick yesterday.
Pro Tip 3/3Subjective Nature
The phrase is subjective; what one person holds against someone may vary greatly from another's perspective.
I know you're upset, but I don't hold it against her.
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