ahold of adj phr Also aholt of [From ahold n, prob through reinterpretation of get, as “come to be” rather than “obtain,” in the comb get ahold of]
Having a firm grasp upon.
1855 Whitman Leaves of Grass 46, Those ahold of fire-engines and hook-and-ladder ropes more to me than the gods of the antique wars. 1874 NY Surrogate’s Court NY Co. Matter Probate Rollwagen 2.801 NYC, A. I guess she was ahold of him. Q. Mrs. Rollwagen was assisting him to the stairs? A. Yes, sir. 1879 Scribner’s Mth. 18.17/1 NY, With one bee a-hold of your collar or the hair of your head, and another a-hold of each arm or leg . . the odds are greatly against you. 1885 Twain Huck. Finn 273 MO,The man left me aholt of the rope. 1887 Century Illustr. Mag. 35.110 LA, “De plow gang had to be in de field long befo’ sun up, . . ebery man a-hold of his plow.” 1898 in 2017 (acc) Lexis–Nexis Legal Research State Case Law: TX (Internet), I saw my husband about half stooped over, and Duke Taylor ahold of his left arm. 1929 Spirit L. Beacon (IA) 1 Aug 1/1, I think every passenger was a-hold of the boat or a rope somewhere around the boat holding on. 1952 Statesville Daily Rec. (NC) 1 Sept 8/4, We ran up and a doggone coon was ahold of him [=a dog]! 1954 Roberts I Bought Dog 6 KY, And the giant aholt of him whispered and said, “We’re goin to throw you up on top of the wall.” 1972 Monitor (McAllen TX) 28 May sec B 5/1, The fish sounded and tried to stay put and immediately I knew I was ahold of a good yellowcat. 2006 in 2017 DARE File—Internet UT, I looked down. He was ahold of that third rung right there with his little hand.