Hold somebody to ransom
verb phrase
To demand something from someone by threatening them.
The kidnappers were trying to hold the businessman to ransom, demanding a huge sum of money for his safe return.
Often appears as...
- hold a businessman to ransom
- hold a child to ransom
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To make someone do what you want by threatening to reveal their secrets or harm them in some way.
He's holding her to ransom with the sensitive information he knows about her past.
Often appears as...
- hold to ransom with information
- hold to ransom with secrets
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To demand something from someone by threatening them.
The kidnappers were trying to hold the businessman to ransom, demanding a huge sum of money for his safe return.
Often appears as...
- hold a businessman to ransom
- hold a child to ransom
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To make someone do what you want by threatening to reveal their secrets or harm them in some way.
He's holding her to ransom with the sensitive information he knows about her past.
Often appears as...
- hold to ransom with information
- hold to ransom with secrets
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Usage
Originally, it refers to kidnappers demanding payment for the release of someone they've captured.
In movies, criminals often hold someone to ransom until their demands are met.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Sense
It's used metaphorically to describe any situation where someone is forced into a choice by severe threats.
The employees felt held to ransom by the threat of layoffs.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
The phrase often implies an unfair or immoral power imbalance.
The software company was accused of holding its clients to ransom with expensive updates.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Usage
Originally, it refers to kidnappers demanding payment for the release of someone they've captured.
In movies, criminals often hold someone to ransom until their demands are met.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Sense
It's used metaphorically to describe any situation where someone is forced into a choice by severe threats.
The employees felt held to ransom by the threat of layoffs.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
The phrase often implies an unfair or immoral power imbalance.
The software company was accused of holding its clients to ransom with expensive updates.
Pro Tip 1/3Literal Usage
Originally, it refers to kidnappers demanding payment for the release of someone they've captured.
In movies, criminals often hold someone to ransom until their demands are met.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Sense
It's used metaphorically to describe any situation where someone is forced into a choice by severe threats.
The employees felt held to ransom by the threat of layoffs.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
The phrase often implies an unfair or immoral power imbalance.
The software company was accused of holding its clients to ransom with expensive updates.
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