Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Could you hold __________ a minute? I'll be right back.

• A. on
• B. in
• C. up
• D. on to

Answer 1

The correct option is A on

Option A is the correct answer because the preposition 'on' is added to the verb 'hold' to make the phrasal verb 'hold on' which in this context is used for telling someone to stop or wait.

Note that the prepositions provided in the options are added to the verb 'hold' so as to form different phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are basically multi-word verbs.

Options B, C and D are incorrect because the phrasal verbs 'hold in' means to not allow your feelings to show, 'hold up' means to cause a delay for someone or something, or to make them late and 'hold on to' something means to hold something tightly or carefully so that you do not drop it or do not fall.