Can we hold it down vs Manage

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Can we hold it down

Informal Top 3,000 (common)

Manage

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

Most formal: Manage Most common: Manage

	Can we hold it down	Manage
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //kən wiː hoʊld ɪt daʊn// 🇺🇸 //kæn wi hɔld ɪt daʊn//	🇬🇧 /["/ˈmænɪdʒ/","/ˈmænɪdʒɪz/","/ˈmænɪdʒd/","/ˈmænɪdʒɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈmænɪdʒ/","/ˈmænɪdʒɪz/","/ˈmænɪdʒd/","/ˈmænɪdʒɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	Can we keep it stable or under control?	To control or handle something.
Example	Can we hold it down while the kids play around?	I need to manage my time better to finish my homework.
Register	Informal	Neutral
How common	Top 3,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	-	A2
Part of speech		verb
Collocations	hold it down, hold down the fort, hold down a job, hold it together, hold down emotions	effectively, efficiently, properly, be difficult to, be easy to, learn (how) to, nicely, perfectly well, very well, be able to, can, have to, on, without, manage on your own, nicely, perfectly well, very well, be able to, can, have to, on, without, manage on your own, nicely, perfectly well, very well, be able to, can, have to, on, without, manage on your own, nicely, perfectly well, very well, be able to, can, have to, on, without, manage on your own, effectively, efficiently, properly, be difficult to, be easy to, learn (how) to
Antonyms	-	neglect, abandon, mismanage
Common mistakes	Confused with 'hold down' as in physically pressing something down., Using it in overly formal situations., Misplacing the phrase, such as saying 'hold down it'.	Using 'manage' without an object, e.g., 'I manage.' without specifying what is being managed., Confusing with 'managing' when the present participle is not needed., Incorrectly using 'manage' as a synonym for 'administer' in non-administrative contexts.
Usage notes	Used casually to ask if someone can maintain control over a situation. Avoid in formal contexts.	Commonly used in both professional and everyday contexts. Not usually used in highly formal situations. Avoid using when discussing passive or uncontrolled situations.

See it in real clips

Okay, fellas, can we hold it down a minute?

Can we hold it down

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

I can't... I can't manage the Ring, Sam.

Manage

Frequently asked questions: Can we hold it down vs Manage

What's the difference between Can we hold it down and Manage?

Can we hold it down: Can we keep it stable or under control? Manage: To control or handle something.

Which is more formal: Can we hold it down and Manage?

Manage is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Can we hold it down and Manage?

Manage is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Can we hold it down: Can we hold it down while the kids play around? Manage: I need to manage my time better to finish my homework.

Can I use Can we hold it down and Manage interchangeably?

Not always. Can we hold it down and Manage are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.