take (a)hold

take (a)hold

1. To grasp or seize something in one's hands. Take hold of this rope and lower yourself out the window. He took ahold of the box and carried it out of the building.2. To become settled, established, or in control with great power and tenacity. Panic took hold of the crowd when the gunshot was heard. I'm afraid the cancer has taken ahold of his entire body.See also: take

take hold

1. Grasp, as in Take hold of this end of the rope. [Late 1500s] 2. Become established, as in The new vines quickly took hold, or This idea will never take hold with the voters. [c. 1300] See also: hold, take

take (a) ˈhold

begin to have complete control over somebody/something; become very strong: Panic took hold of him and he couldn’t move.They managed to get out of the house just before the flames took hold.It is best to treat the disease early before it takes a hold.See also: hold, take

take hold

1. To seize, as by grasping.2. To become established: The newly planted vines quickly took hold.See also: hold, take