In my experience as a native AmE speaker, hold onto has more of the connotation that you are actually on something unstable (or a moving vehicle), and that you should hold onto something for safety; whereas hold on to gives me the impression that there is something less massive than you, and you should hold on to it so that you do not lose contr to keep something. keep I've kept all my grandmother's jewellery. store I've stored all Helen's books in the attic. stash His money was stashed in a cupboard. save I have some really good chocolates that I've been saving for a special occasion. hang onto You should hang onto that picture - it might be worth something. The US House of Representatives has voted to formalise its impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Lawmakers voted along party lines to back a resolution that Republicans say will give them In addition to Tuberville's hold, a half dozen promotions below the four-star rank are still being held up by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) over "those nominees' stances or actions relating to wRxol4.