hold the ring
To be a spectator at a fight; (figuratively) to watch other people argue.
ˈhəʊld ðə ˌɹɪŋDocumented since 1940s1940sSilenthistorical115 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Etymology timeline
Born ~1942 · no dated citations yet20th centurySee decade cohort →
Definitions
UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
(chiefly, Britain, idiomatic) To oversee a situation while attempting to remain uninvolved in it.
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK
(sports, theater, obsolete) To maintain order among spectators encircling participants in a prizefight or a performance and keep them from coming too near the participants.
Origin: [[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War- Operation Torch, North Africa, November 1942 A12678.jpg|thumb|Soldiers watching a boxing match aboard a Royal Navy troopship in November 1942 during World War II, from the collection of the Imperial War Museum, UK]] Probably from keep the ring. In days past when spectators would encircle participants in a prizefight or a performance, people would be employed to maintain order among them and keep them from coming too near the participants. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
To be a spectator at a fight; (figuratively) to watch other people argue.
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Other words near "hold the ring" (H)
Hokkien meeho kua bo ho jiakHoldenhold it downhold one's mouth righthold the phonehold to ransomhold-uphold-upshold withhole-in-the-wallholer
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