把baa2持ci4

English

1. to control
2. to keep ones desires and behaviour under control to comply with ones moral standard (e.g. to be loyal to ones spouse) or the law.
3. to dominate
4. (usually with a negative connotation) to have full control of an organisation or a group
5. to monopolize

粵語 — Cantonese

1. 令到自己嘅慾望同行為喺自己嘅控制之下，唔會做出一啲違反道德或者法律嘅行為。
2. 即係控制住一個組織或者群體嘅權力，但係用得呢個字都係有負面嘅意思。

Examples

• 佢把持唔住自己，所以就有呢個感情缺失。

  He couldn't control his emotion, and that's why he was in a love affair and had regrettable moments in his love life. ----

• 太后把持朝政好多年，皇帝成年之後，都唔願意歸還權力。

  The Empress Dowager held power at court for many years and was unwilling to return authority even after the Emperor reached adulthood.