ahold
ahold — adverb
1. to manage to obtain a thing, often after looking for it or trying for some time
to manage to obtain a thing, often after looking for it or trying for some time
Christopher got ahold of two concert tickets when the website reopened.
get ahold of + thing after effort
By noon, the bakery got ahold of more butter for the cakes.
We could not get ahold of a cheap fan on the hottest day of summer.
With Eri's note, Lakshmi got ahold of the teacher's old grammar book.
- obtain
more neutral and more common in formal writing.
- secure
stresses succeeding in getting something after effort or competition.
- get hold of
the usual British form for the same idea.
文法句型
get ahold of + thing
用法筆記
Usually follows get and is almost always followed by of plus a thing. In British English, get hold of is the more usual form for the same meaning.
常見錯誤
2. to succeed in reaching a person and speaking or messaging them
to succeed in reaching a person and speaking or messaging them
After her train reached Kaohsiung, I finally got ahold of Mira.
get ahold of + person after delay
The nurse could not get ahold of Christopher before the clinic closed.
By text message, Gabriela got ahold of the driver and changed the meeting place.
We got ahold of the hotel manager when the fire alarm started.
- reach
the most neutral choice for making contact with someone.
- contact
more formal and common in business or official situations.
- get through to
usually narrower, especially when a phone line or message is hard to connect.
文法句型
get ahold of + person
get ahold of + person by phone
get ahold of + person by message
用法筆記
Used mainly when finally reaching a person by phone, text, or another message after some difficulty. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about getting a thing rather than contacting a person.
常見錯誤
3. to seize and keep a firm physical hold on someone or something
to seize and keep a firm physical hold on someone or something
When the boat rocked, Cyrus grabbed ahold of the rail with both hands.
grab ahold of + object for support
Ayana took ahold of the child's coat before the child ran into the street.
As the ladder slipped, Vikram caught ahold of the window frame.
The climber lost a glove but kept ahold of the rope.
- let go of
for releasing the person or thing instead of holding it.
文法句型
grab ahold of + object
take ahold of + clothing
catch ahold of + support
用法筆記
Common after grab, take, catch, or keep, especially when someone is trying not to fall or not to let another person escape. Unlike sense 1, this sense always involves direct physical contact.
常見錯誤
4. to begin to dominate a person or situation so that it is hard to resist
to begin to dominate a person or situation so that it is hard to resist
Panic got ahold of Christopher when all the lights went out.
abstract subject + get ahold of + person
Once the gambling got ahold of Eri's brother, every dinner at home grew tense.
When anger got ahold of Mira, she slammed the bedroom door.
By midnight, fear had gotten ahold of the children in the dark basement.
文法句型
fear + get ahold of + person
anger + get ahold of + person
habit + get ahold of + person
用法筆記
Usually has an abstract subject such as fear, anger, or addiction. Distinguish from sense 5: this sense says something takes control of a person, while sense 5 means the person regains control.
5. to make yourself become calmer again and control what you are saying or doing
to make yourself become calmer again and control what you are saying or doing
After the shouting match, Esme went outside to get ahold of herself.
fixed phrase: get ahold of yourself
The coach asked the crying player to get ahold of herself and breathe slowly.
Christopher needs to get ahold of himself before speaking to the principal.
At the store counter, Lakshmi got ahold of herself and stopped yelling.
- calm down
the most direct everyday alternative, often less emphatic.
- pull yourself together
stronger and often used when emotions are visibly out of control.
- compose yourself
more formal and often linked to behaving with dignity.
- panic
to lose control and become frightened or confused.
- lose control
focuses on failing to manage your actions or feelings.
文法句型
get ahold of yourself
got ahold of herself
need to get ahold of himself
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase get ahold of yourself, often as advice when someone is crying, shouting, or panicking. Unlike sense 4, the person is trying to control their own feelings.