have (a)hold of (someone or something)

have (a)hold of (someone or something)

Literally, to have a grip on someone or something. The police officer had ahold of the suspect before he could run away. My sister had ahold of me at our mother's funeral to keep herself from breaking down in tears. It's a good thing I had a hold of Rover's leash when I took him out—some fool had left the gate open!

See also: have, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.