hold tight; adhere to; reliable
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesverb
to hold on tight; to grasp firmly
Often used for physical support to prevent falling.
When getting on the bus, you must hold onto the handrail tightly.
The road is slippery, hold my hand firmly.
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She held the ladder steady so the child could come down safely.
verb
to adhere to; to strictly uphold; to manage well
Used for principles, rules, systems, or responsibilities.
We must strictly adhere to food safety standards.
He is an accountant who strictly upholds the company's financial regulations.
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We must strictly maintain the quality of this exam and not be lenient.
adjective
reliable; solid; firm (often used in the negative)
dialectA dialectal usage. Describes something or someone that is not trustworthy or sturdy.
This plank is a bit thin; stepping on it might not be reliable.
He always changes his story, so he's not reliable in getting things done.
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This car is too old, and the brakes are not reliable anymore.