hold for ransom

hold (someone) for ransom

To kidnap someone and keep them until someone else pays a demanded sum of money (a "ransom"). The kidnappers are holding my son for ransom—I'll pay any amount they want! She's the daughter of rich socialites, of course we'll hold her for ransom! Officer, what am I going to do? These thugs are holding my daughter for ransom, and I don't have the money to pay them.

See also: for, hold, ransom

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

hold someone for ransom

to demand money for the return of a person who has been kidnapped. The kidnappers held me for ransom, but no one would pay. We will hold Timmy for ransom and hope that the police don't find us.

See also: for, hold, ransom

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.