Definition of the word hold in

The phrase "hold in" is a phrasal verb that combines the meaning of the verb "hold" and the preposition "in." The origin of this expression can be traced back to Old English, where it was written as "hāldan in." The Old English word "hāldan" meant "to keep, to hold," and the preposition "in" was used to indicate a place or a location. So, the expression "hāldan in" referred to the action of holding something inside a particular space or container. Over time, the meaning of "hold in" evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings. Today, it can be used in different ways, such as: - To restrain oneself from expressing feelings or emotions: "She held in her anger and walked away." - To contain something physically: "He held in the laughter and tried not to sneeze." - To delay an action or announcement: "The company held in the news until after the market close." - To keep something within a specific space: "We held in the presents until Christmas morning." In all these usages, the core meaning of "hold in" remains the same: to keep something contained or under control. The way it is used in modern English has become more complex and nuanced, while its origins remain rooted in the simple meaning of "hāldan in" in Old English.