The idiom "get hold of" is a common expression in English that can have different meanings depending on the context. It can mean to contact someone, to obtain something, to control something, or to affect someone emotionally.

In short:

• It can mean to contact, to obtain, to control, or to affect.
• It can be used in different grammatical forms and with different objects.

What Does "Get Hold Of" Mean?

The idiom "get hold of" has four primary meanings depending on the context or situation.

• To contact someone by phone, email, or other means. For example, "I need to get hold of my boss and tell him about the problem." This meaning is similar to "get in touch with" or "reach out to.
• To obtain something hard to find or acquire. For example, "She managed to get hold of a rare book that was out of print." This meaning is similar to the expressions "get ahold of" or "lay one's hands on."
• To control something or someone that is moving or behaving erratically. For example, "He tried to get hold of the horse that was running wild." This meaning is similar to "get a grip on" or "take hold of."
• To affect someone emotionally or mentally in an intense way. For example, "He got hold of himself and stopped crying." This meaning is similar to "pull oneself together" or "compose oneself."

Where Does "Get Hold Of" Come From?

The origin and history of the idiom "get hold of" are unclear, but it seems to have emerged in the late 18th or early 19th century as a means to "obtain something scarce or difficult to access." The other meanings of the phrase, such as to contact someone, to control something, or to affect someone emotionally, developed over time and became more common in the 20th century.

Historical Example

According to some sources, the earliest recorded use of the phrase was in 1798, in a letter by the British poet William Wordsworth:

"I wish you would write me a letter as soon as you can get hold of pen and ink."

10 Examples of "Get Hold Of" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how this idiom can be used in different sentences:

• Quite frankly, how did you get hold of this information?
• Real talk: You need to get hold of yourself and calm down.
• Yes, please. Try to get hold of the customer and resolve their issue.
• I've been trying to get hold of you all the way. Where have you been?
• Way to go! She managed to get hold of a rare book at the antique store.
• I feel her pain. She couldn't get hold of her emotions and burst into tears.
• Fret not. Let's see if we can get hold of some tickets for the concert tonight.
• That's too bad. He couldn't get hold of the steering wheel and crashed the car.
• It's no mean feat, but we need to get hold of the missing pieces for this puzzle.
• What can I say? It's essential to get hold of a reasonable attorney for legal advice.

Examples of "Get Hold Of" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has appeared in various forms of popular culture:

• In the song Get A Hold by A Tribe Called Quest (1996), Q-Tip raps: "I never walk with my head down, I always look up / Don't ever have to fight and say that I shook up / From the streets of Harlem to Cali, I'm too hot / They wanna drop me like a bad habit, but I'm not / I'm here to show you what I got, so get a hold / Cause I'm about to take control of your soul."
• In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998) by J.K. Rowling, Harry says to Ron: "I think we've had a bad influence on her," he muttered. "She's trying to get hold of a bit of your hair," said Ron, but Hermione whipped her hand back out of sight as they heard footsteps outside the door.
• In the movie The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo to get hold of a phone so that he can guide him out of the building: "You have to get hold of a landline. A hard line. It's the only way I can bring you back."
• In the video game "Grand Theft Auto V," Franklin tells Lamar to get hold of a tow truck for their heist: "Lamar, I'm looking at these plans, homie. You have to get hold of a tow truck. It's near your crib, so go over there and get it."

Synonyms: Other/Different Ways to Say "Get Hold Of"

Here are some synonyms and alternative expressions of all meanings of this idiom:

• Get in touch with
• Reach out
• Purchase
• Acquire
• Secure
• Grasp
• Grab
• Seize
• Control oneself
• Calm down

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Get Hold Of"

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about this idiom:

• What does "get hold of" mean?

The idiom "get hold of" is a common expression in English that can mean to contact someone, to obtain something, to control something, or to affect someone emotionally.

• What is the origin of the phrase "get hold of"?

The origin and history of the idiom "get hold of" are unclear, but it seems to have emerged in the late 18th or early 19th century as a means to "obtain something scarce or difficult to access."

• Is it "get hold of" or "get a hold of"?

Both forms are acceptable and have the same meaning. However, some people prefer "get a hold of" when referring to physical objects and "get hold of" when referring to abstract concepts or people.

• Is "get hold of" formal or informal?
  

It suits casual conversations and writing more than formal or academic contexts. For more formal situations, using more precise and specific words that match the intended meaning is better.

• What is the opposite of "get hold of"?

The opposite of "get hold of" can vary depending on the meaning and context. But one basic opposite could be "let go of" or "release," which means to relinquish or stop holding something.

• Is "get hold of" a commonly used idiom in English?

Yes, "get hold of" is a common and widely used idiom in English.

• Is "get hold of" always used in a positive context?

No, it can be used in both positive and negative contexts. For instance, "He couldn't get hold of the necessary documents" (negative) versus "She managed to get hold of the last concert ticket" (positive).

• Can "get hold of" be used in the past tense?

Yes, it can be used in the past tense. For example, "I got hold of the book yesterday."

• Is "get hold of" used differently in British and American English?

No, the idiom is generally used in the same way in both British and American English.

• Are there any idiomatic "get hold of" variations in other languages?

Yes, many languages have their own idiomatic expressions with similar meanings, such as "mettre la main sur" in French or "poner las manos en" in Spanish.

Final Thoughts About "Get Hold Of"

The idiom "get hold of" is a versatile and valuable expression in English that can have different meanings depending on the context and the object. It can help you communicate about contacting, obtaining, controlling, or affecting someone or something in various situations.

Here are some key points to remember about this idiom:

• It is informal and should be avoided in formal or academic contexts.
• It can be used in different grammatical forms and with various objects.
• It has synonyms and alternative expressions for each meaning that can be used interchangeably.
• It has a vague origin and history but seems to have emerged in the late 18th or early 19th century.