- hold someone to ransom
- 1) to keep someone as a prisoner until an amount of money is paid2) to try to make someone do what you want, especially by using threats
We're being held to ransom by these extremist groups.
English dictionary. 2014.
hold someone to ransom
Look at other dictionaries:
hold someone to ransom — hold (someone) to ransom to force someone to do something by putting them in a situation where something bad will happen to them if they do not. Some people regarded the miners strike as the union holding the nation to ransom … New idioms dictionary
hold someone to ransom — demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action. → ransom … English new terms dictionary
hold someone to ransom — … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something at ransom — hold someone/something at (or for) ransom hold someone prisoner and demand payment for their release ■ demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action … Useful english dictionary
hold someone/something to ransom — see ransom … Useful english dictionary
hold to ransom — hold (someone) to ransom to force someone to do something by putting them in a situation where something bad will happen to them if they do not. Some people regarded the miners strike as the union holding the nation to ransom … New idioms dictionary
hold — I [[t]ho͟ʊld[/t]] PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING ♦ holds, holding, held 1) VERB When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms. [V n prep/adv] Hold the knife at an angle... [V n] She is holding her … English dictionary
ransom — noun a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive. verb obtain the release of (someone) by paying a ransom. ↘hold (someone) captive and demand a ransom for their release. ↘release after receiving a ransom. Phrases hold someone to… … English new terms dictionary
ransom — ran|som1 [ rænsəm ] noun count or uncount the amount of money someone wants to be paid before they will let a person they are keeping as a prisoner go free: Her parents received a ransom note. Her kidnappers are demanding a $5 million ransom.… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
ransom — I UK [ˈræns(ə)m] / US [ˈrænsəm] noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms ransom : singular ransom plural ransoms the amount of money that someone wants to be paid before they will let a person who they are keeping prisoner go free Her kidnappers… … English dictionary
