Cool MateHold him down vs Pin
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold him down
Top 2,000 (common)
Pin
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Pin
| Hold him down | Pin | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld hɪm daʊn//🇺🇸 //hoʊld hɪm daʊn// | 🇬🇧 /["/pɪn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pɪn/"]/ |
| Meaning | To keep someone in a position where they can't move. | A small pointed object used to fasten things together. |
| Example | He had to hold him down during the scuffle to prevent him from escaping. | She used a pin to attach the notice to the board. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | hold him down, hold someone down, hold down a person, hold down the situation | safety, bobby, hair, drive in, insert, stick in, safety, bobby, hair, drive in, insert, stick in, lapel, flag, wear, lapel, flag, wear |
| Antonyms | - | unpin, detach |
| Common mistakes | Using 'hold down' without an object (e.g., saying 'hold down' instead of 'hold him down'), Confusing the physical act with emotional support (e.g., saying 'hold him down' when meaning 'support him'), Misapplying in non-physical contexts (e.g., saying 'hold him down' when discussing finances) | Confused with 'pen' - don't mix up the two writing tools., Using 'pinned' wrong - ensure it's in the correct context., Mixing up 'pin' and 'pinning' when describing actions. |
| Usage notes | Use in contexts where someone needs to be restrained physically, often in emergencies. Avoid casual conversation. | Used to describe both physical pins that hold objects together and metaphorical uses like 'pinning someone down' in a discussion. Avoid in highly formal settings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Hold him down vs Pin
What's the difference between Hold him down and Pin?
Hold him down: To keep someone in a position where they can't move. Pin: A small pointed object used to fasten things together.
Which is more common: Hold him down and Pin?
Pin is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold him down: He had to hold him down during the scuffle to prevent him from escaping. Pin: She used a pin to attach the notice to the board.
Can I use Hold him down and Pin interchangeably?
Not always. Hold him down and Pin 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.