Cool MateHold on vs Oh no you don't
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold on
Top 2,000 (common)
Oh no you don't
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Hold onMost common: Hold on
| Hold on | Oh no you don't | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ɒn//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //əʊ nəʊ jʊ dəʊnt//🇺🇸 //oʊ noʊ jʊ doʊnt// |
| Meaning | Wait a moment | A phrase used to refuse or prevent someone from doing something. |
| Example | Please hold on while I check the information. | I was about to eat the last cookie, but she said, 'Oh no you don't!' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | hold on a second, hold on tight, hold on the line | say oh no you don't, oh no you don't again, oh no you don't think |
| Antonyms | rush, hurry, advance | go ahead, please do, by all means |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hold up' which means to delay, Using it in very formal contexts where 'please wait' is better, Not using it as a standalone phrase | Using in formal writing, Confusing with 'Oh, no!' which expresses dismay, Not using the correct intonation |
| Usage notes | Use 'hold on' when asking someone to wait briefly. It's appropriate in casual conversations but can be used in more formal situations as well. Avoid in very formal writing. | Used in casual conversation, often to playfully reject someone or stop them from an action. Not suitable for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold on vs Oh no you don't
What's the difference between Hold on and Oh no you don't?
Hold on: Wait a moment Oh no you don't: A phrase used to refuse or prevent someone from doing something.
Which is more formal: Hold on and Oh no you don't?
Hold on is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hold on and Oh no you don't?
Hold on is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold on: Please hold on while I check the information. Oh no you don't: I was about to eat the last cookie, but she said, 'Oh no you don't!'
Can I use Hold on and Oh no you don't interchangeably?
Not always. Hold on and Oh no you don't 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.