‘胁持’ is a verb meaning to hold someone hostage or to coerce them through threats or force. It combines two characters: ‘胁’ (xié), meaning 'to threaten' or 'to intimidate', often involving pressure applied to the ribs or side of the body — symbolizing physical or psychological coercion; and ‘持’ (chí), meaning 'to hold' or 'to grasp'. Together, they convey the idea of seizing control over a person by threat and maintaining that control. The word implies an active, unlawful, and often violent act, typically in criminal or crisis contexts.

It’s commonly used in news reports, legal documents, and formal writing — rarely in casual speech. Unlike milder verbs like ‘逼迫’ (to force) or ‘威胁’ (to threaten), ‘胁持’ specifically denotes taking and detaining a person against their will for leverage. It carries strong negative connotations and is associated with serious offenses such as kidnapping, hijacking, or armed robbery.