ahold
ahold — adverb
1. used in the phrase 'get ahold of' to mean managing to obtain a thing, especially
used in the phrase 'get ahold of' to mean managing to obtain a thing, especially something that is hard to find or buy.
Zara finally got ahold of the new Taylor Swift album on vinyl.
get ahold of + [object you obtain]
Where did you get ahold of those concert tickets so quickly?
Ilya tried to get ahold of a copy of the rare cookbook online.
The students got ahold of last year's exam papers from a senior friend.
- obtain
much more formal; suits writing and official contexts
- get hold of
the standard British form; 'ahold of' is the American variant
文法句型
get + ahold + of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears after 'get' (sometimes 'lay' or 'take') and before 'of'. The bare adverb 'ahold' on its own is very rare.
常見錯誤
2. used in the phrase 'get ahold of' to mean reaching a person by phone, message, o
used in the phrase 'get ahold of' to mean reaching a person by phone, message, or email so that you can speak to them.
I've been trying to get ahold of Yael all morning, but her phone is off.
get ahold of + [person] for reaching by phone or message
Can you get ahold of Dr. Amara before the meeting starts at three?
The lawyer finally got ahold of the witness late last night.
If you need help, get ahold of me on WhatsApp instead of email.
文法句型
get + ahold + of + person
用法筆記
The object is a person (or someone's name). Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a thing being obtained.
常見錯誤
3. used in phrases such as 'grab ahold of' or 'take ahold of' to mean closing your
used in phrases such as 'grab ahold of' or 'take ahold of' to mean closing your hand firmly around a thing or person.
Grab ahold of my hand before you cross the busy street.
grab ahold of + [body part or object]
The toddler took ahold of the puppy's tail and would not let go.
Nia got ahold of the rope and pulled herself out of the water.
Quick — grab ahold of the railing, the boat is rocking hard!
- let go of
the natural opposite action
文法句型
grab/get/take + ahold + of + noun
用法筆記
This is the literal physical sense. The verb is usually 'grab' or 'take' rather than 'get' to make the action sound more sudden or forceful.
常見錯誤
4. used in phrases such as 'get ahold of' or 'take ahold of' to describe gaining au
used in phrases such as 'get ahold of' or 'take ahold of' to describe gaining authority, influence, or command over a situation, group, or thing.
Once the new coach took ahold of the team, the players started winning.
take ahold of + [group / situation]
Fear got ahold of the village after the second fire broke out.
abstract subject (emotion) gaining control
The mayor needs to get ahold of the budget before more money is wasted.
Try to keep ahold of your schedule, or the work will pile up fast.
- take control of
more formal and direct; common in business news
- get a grip on
very close in meaning; slightly more about understanding plus control
- lose control of
the standard opposite phrase
文法句型
get/take/keep + ahold + of + noun
用法筆記
Object is usually a situation, an organization, or an abstract force (fear, panic, the news). Distinguish from sense 3, where the object is grasped with the hand.
常見錯誤
5. in the fixed phrase 'get ahold of yourself', used to tell someone to stop being
in the fixed phrase 'get ahold of yourself', used to tell someone to stop being upset, panicked, or out of control and to act calmly again.
Get ahold of yourself, Ilya — crying won't bring the cat back tonight.
imperative + reflexive pronoun for telling someone to calm down
Yael took a deep breath and tried to get ahold of herself before speaking.
You need to get ahold of yourself before the police arrive at the door.
After the bad news, Nia couldn't get ahold of herself for almost an hour.
- pull yourself together
very close in meaning; same scolding tone
- calm down
softer and more neutral; less reflexive feel
- fall apart
the opposite — losing emotional control
文法句型
get + ahold + of + reflexive pronoun
用法筆記
Always reflexive (myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves). Frequently used as a sharp, almost scolding imperative to tell someone to stop crying, panicking, or shouting.