Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
take someone hostage / hold someone hostage
phrase
/teɪk ˈsʌmwʌn ˈhɒstɪdʒ/ /hoʊld ˈsʌmwʌn ˈhɑːstɪdʒ/
Definition
To capture a person and keep them as a prisoner, typically to demand something in return or as leverage.
Examples
- The robbers took the bank staff hostage during the heist.
- They threatened to hold the diplomat hostage if their demands were not met.
- In the movie, the villain held the hero’s family hostage to make him comply.
Meaning
The phrase refers to the act of forcing someone to be a prisoner while making demands, often in situations involving negotiation or conflict.
Synonyms
- Kidnap
- Detain
- Constrain
