retain

Definitions

re- (back) + tain (hold) = to hold back, to keep from leaving. The image is gripping something so it doesn't slip away — keep staff, keep moisture, keep information in memory. The legal sense (retain a lawyer) is keeping someone 'on hold' for you by paying in advance.

Common Collocations

• 1.retain control保持控制权
• 2.retain the right保留权利
• 3.retain moisture保持水分
• 4.retain information记住信息
• 5.retain staff留住员工

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Companies struggle to retain talented employees.

• 2.

  These plants retain water well in dry soil.

• 3.

  She retained a lawyer to handle the dispute.

Easily Confused

retain vs maintain: retain is about not losing something you already have (retain customers, retain heat). maintain is about keeping something at a steady level or in good condition through active effort (maintain a car, maintain standards). Losing vs upkeep: stop the loss → retain; keep up the work → maintain.