Hold a Grudge Meaning and Usage

Meaning 1：hold a grudge (hold a grudge)

hold a grudge 🔊

/hoʊld ə ɡrʌdʒ/

v.phr.

To keep feeling angry or unfriendly towards someone because of something bad they did in the past.

hold a grudge 🔊

➕

/hoʊld ə ɡrʌdʒ/

v.phr.

To continue feeling angry or hostile toward someone because of a past offense, refusing to forgive or forget.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Hold' from OE 'healdan'; 'grudge' from OF 'groucher' (to murmur).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine 'holding' a 'grudge' like a heavy stone in your pocket, weighing you down.

📖 Example

Even though they worked it out, she still holds a grudge for his careless comment during the meeting. 🔊 Even though they worked it out, she still holds a grudge for his careless comment during the meeting.

🔗 Collocations

bear a grudge – To carry a grudge

nurse a grudge – To keep a grudge alive

hold a grudge against – To harbor resentment toward someone

🔄 Synonyms

resent (v.) – To feel bitterness or indignation at a perceived injustice.

bear ill will (v.phr.) – To maintain hostile feelings toward someone.

harbor resentment (v.phr.) – To keep feelings of resentment inside.

🚫 Antonyms

forgive (v.) – To stop feeling anger or resentment toward someone.

let go (v.phr.) – To release negative feelings and move on.

🌱 Derivatives

grudge (n.) – A persistent feeling of ill will or resentment.

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase fuses OE 'healdan' (keep) and OF 'groucher' (murmur), symbolizing nursing a past grievance. It reflects the common human tendency to sustain resentment over time.