Part of Speech

The phrase "get hold of" is a phrasal verb.

Phonetic Transcription

/gɛt hoʊld ʌv/

Meaning and Usage

The phrase "get hold of" means to obtain, acquire, or make contact with someone or something. It can refer to the physical act of grasping something or the more abstract notion of securing something, such as information or a person.

Frequency of Use: "Get hold of" is a commonly used phrase in English, especially in informal contexts. It tends to be more prevalent in oral speech than in written contexts.

Example Sentences

1. I need to get hold of my old friend to ask for his advice.

2. Necesito contactar a mi viejo amigo para pedirle su consejo.

3. Can you get hold of the report by tomorrow?

4. ¿Puedes obtener el informe para mañana?

5. I wasn't able to get hold of anyone at the office today.

6. No pude contactar a nadie en la oficina hoy.

Idiomatic Expressions

The phrase "get hold of" is often used in various idiomatic expressions, emphasizing different contexts and meanings.

Example Idiomatic Expressions

1. Get hold of yourself - to regain control of one's emotions or reactions.

2. You need to get hold of yourself before you speak to them. (Necesitas controlarte antes de hablar con ellos.)

3. Get hold of the situation - to understand or manage a situation effectively.

4. It took me a while to get hold of the situation, but now I feel confident. (Me tomó un tiempo entender la situación, pero ahora me siento seguro.)

5. Get hold of the facts - to gather information before making a decision.

6. Let’s get hold of the facts before jumping to conclusions. (Asegurémonos de tener los hechos antes de sacar conclusiones.)

Etymology

The phrase "get hold of" is composed of the verb "get," which dates back to Old English gietan (to obtain), combined with "hold," derived from Old English haldan (to keep, hold). The phrasal addition "of" serves to specify the object of the action explicitly.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Obtain - Acquire - Contact - Secure

Antonyms: - Lose - Release - Let go

This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the versatility and common usage of the phrase "get hold of" in the English language.