hold sb to ransom BrEto put someone in a situation where they have no choice and are forced to agree to your demands要挟某人，胁迫某人:•He has accused the nurses of holding the government to ransom by threatening to strike.他指责护士以罢工来要挟政府。hold sb to ˈransom1to keep sb as a prisoner and demand that other people pay you an amount of money before you set them free将…绑票2(disapproving)to take action that puts sb in a very difficult situation in order to force them to do what you want胁迫；要挟 |