Hold it dear 🤝💖
Meaning
To value something or someone highly and cherish it.
Origin
The sentiment of 'holding dear' is as old as human connection itself. Imagine a time before written records, when a precious keepsake—perhaps a carved amulet from a loved one, or a seed from a vital harvest—was guarded with intense care. Its survival meant more than just material possession; it meant remembering, prosperity, or connection. This deep, almost primal need to protect and cherish what matters most, what is 'dear' in the sense of being beloved and essential, naturally found its way into language. The phrase solidified not from a single event, but from the countless moments across millennia where something valuable was literally and figuratively held close to the heart.
Hold it dear represented with emoji🤝💖
This playful combination of handshake and heart not just presents a gesture of affection, but functions as a powerful symbol of cherishing deeply held values. It teaches the viewer the profound interconnectedness between connection and genuine care, underscoring the simple yet monumental act of holding something, or someone, dear.
Examples
- She will always hold her grandmother's locket dear.
- He knew he had to hold the memory of his childhood home dear.
- The old wizard decided to hold the secret spellbook dear, keeping it hidden in his tower.
- The little dragon promised to hold his shiny pebble collection dear, even if they were just ordinary rocks.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, 'hold it dear' functions as an idiom, as its meaning—to value something highly—is not directly deducible from the literal meanings of 'hold' and 'dear' alone. Idioms often convey figurative meanings that have become standard through common usage.
The opposite of 'hold it dear' would be to disregard, neglect, or devalue something. Phrases like 'take for granted', 'treat lightly', or 'hold in contempt' express this lack of cherishing.
While the phrase is primarily idiomatic, earlier forms or contexts might have implied a more literal sense of physically holding something precious close. The figurative meaning evolved from this very primal instinct to protect what is deeply valued.
You can certainly value something highly *because* of someone else, or cherish something that you know *they* hold dear. However, the phrase 'hold it dear' is typically used when you are the one personally valuing or cherishing the object or person.