lose one's hold on someone or something
and lose one's grip on someone or something 1. Lit. to fail to keep one's handhold on someone or something. I lost my hold on the child, and she nearly slipped away. She lost her grip on the bag of jewels and it fell overboard.
2. and lose one's hold over someone or something Fig. to give up control over someone or something. The manager lost her hold on her employees and was fired. Fred is losing his grip on his workers. He is losing his hold over his empire.