Some people regarded the miners' strike as the union holding the nation to ransom.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
hold to ransom — ► hold to ransom 1) hold (someone) captive and demand payment for release. 2) demand concessions from (someone) by threatening damaging action. Main Entry: ↑ransom … English terms dictionary
hold to ransom — 1. To retain until a ransom is paid 2. To blackmail into concessions (figurative) • • • Main Entry: ↑ransom … Useful english dictionary
hold for ransom — index kidnap Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
ransom — ► NOUN ▪ a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive. ► VERB 1) obtain the release of (someone) by paying a ransom. 2) detain (someone) and demand a ransom for their release. ● hold to ransom Cf. ↑hold to ransom ● … English terms dictionary
hold — 1. v. & n. v. (past and past part. held) 1 tr. a keep fast; grasp (esp. in the hands or arms). b (also refl.) keep or sustain (a thing, oneself, one s head, etc.) in a particular position (hold it to the light; held himself erect). c grasp so as… … Useful english dictionary
ransom — /ˈrænsəm / (say ransuhm) noun 1. the redemption of a prisoner, slave, kidnapped person, captured goods, etc., for a price. 2. the sum or price paid or demanded. 3. a means of delivering or rescuing, especially, in religious use, from sin and its… …
ransom — n. & v. n. 1 a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner. 2 the liberation of a prisoner in return for this. v.tr. 1 buy the freedom or restoration of; redeem. 2 hold to ransom. 3 release for a ransom.… … Useful english dictionary
ransom — ran·som 1 n: a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity see also kidnapping ransom 2 vt: to free from captivity by paying a price rape 1 vt raped, rap·ing [Latin rapere to seize and take away by force] … Law dictionary
hold someone to ransom — hold (someone) to ransom to force someone to do something by putting them in a situation where something bad will happen to them if they do not. Some people regarded the miners strike as the union holding the nation to ransom … New idioms dictionary
hold someone/something at ransom — hold someone/something at (or for) ransom hold someone prisoner and demand payment for their release ■ demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action … Useful english dictionary
