hold one’s water—
1. contain one’s urine:
- Eight hours is a long time to hold one’s water…. It is a comfort to know that one can if really necessary get access.
2. (U.S. sl.; imper.) be patient; stop making repeated requests:
- “Pass over them glasses will you?” “Just hold your water sailor, you’ll get your turn in a moment.”
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase hold one’s liquor—be not easily intoxicated by alcohol:
- The elder man stood erect in an attempt to show all that he could hold his liquor.
hold water —(of an argument, idea, etc.) appear reasonable; agree with the facts (usually negat.):
- Close examination of the evidence reveals, however, that such claims simply don’t hold water.