hold sb hostage

This page is about the collocation hold sb hostage

collocation pattern: verb + noun

Meaning

to imprison somebody and demand something in exchange for their release

For example

  • We were held hostage for over a week before being released.

  • How many hostages are the terrorists still holding?

Note:
Related collocations include "hold somebody prisoner" and "hold somebody captive"

Quick Quiz

They held the man hostage after

a. paying a ransom

b. capturing him

c. freeing him
a) paying a ransom b) capturing him c) freeing him

Contributor: Matt Errey