hold against
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To think less of (someone) for (something they have done).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He was awful to me when we were young, but I don't hold that against him. We were children then.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “hold against” mean?
To think less of (someone) for (something they have done).
Is “hold against” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.