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hold against

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hold something against someone

Fig. to blame something on someone; to bear a grudge against someone; to resent someone. Your brother is mean to me, but I can't hold it against you. You're holding something against me. What is it?

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hold something against someone or something

 

1. Lit. to press something against someone, a group, or something. Max held the gun against the bank guard's head and threatened to pull the trigger. Fred held the drill against the wall and turned it on.

2. Fig. to think badly of someone, a group, or something because of something. I am the one who dented your fender. I'm sorry. I hope you don't hold it against me. I hold all this mess against the government.

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hold something against somebody

to have a bad opinion about someone because of something they did I understand that your car isn't working, but please don't hold it against me personally – I didn't build your car.

See also: hold

hold against

Think badly of someone because of some fault or occurrence. For example, Even if you're late, I won't hold it against you, or She backed right into his new car, so he's bound to hold it against her. Also see bear a grudge.

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hold against

v.

1. To place someone on or next to some other thing: I held the picture against the wall.

2. To have ill feelings toward someone because of something: I still hold their unkind insults against them. They arrived late and the supervisor held it against them for months.

See also: hold