/tə hoʊld sʌmb tə ˈrænsəm/ – Phrase
Definition: bắt giữ ai đó để đòi tiền chuộc.
A more thorough explanation: “To hold someone to ransom” means to keep someone as a hostage until a sum of money or other demand is met by the person or entity holding them captive. It is a form of extortion or blackmail where the release of the individual is contingent upon the payment of a ransom or meeting other specified conditions.
Example: The kidnappers threatened to hold the victim to ransom until their demands were met.