hold yew hard

References holding a horse's reins to keep it still. In this phrase, yew is an eye dialect spelling of you.

hold yew hard

1. (Norfolk, idiomatic, imperative) Wait for a moment. Be patient.
   • 1909, James Blyth, A Bid for Loyalty, page 60:

     "Hold yew hard," said old Joe. "Will a hunnerd pounds hurt ye for the passage? We might make that a feeshin' in the time."

   • 1933, Ralph Hale Mottram, The Lame Dog, page 273:

     "Hold yew hard," Sweetnin' adjured him, "while I get that there little step-ladder."

   • 1986, Audrey Whiting, Gal Audrey, page 24:

     Mum flew at her sister like a tiger. 'Hold yew hard!' she bawled, spit coming out of her mouth. 'What dew yew mean by layin' inter that child like that? 'E in't dewin' yew no 'arm. Yew always was a spiteful bitch! Yew c'n git out a' my 'ouse, quick as yew like, or I'll fist yew one in the snout!'

   • 2010, J. A. Noble, The Lime Walk, →ISBN, page 472:

     He held up his hand in defence. "Hold yew hard, Mr Challiss; hear me out afore yew blow me 'ead orf. […] "

• hold one's horses
• hang on, hold on