hold out
See also: holdout
English
Alternative forms
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb
hold out (third-person singular simple present holds out, present participle holding out, simple past and past participle held out)
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see hold, out.
- (transitive) To hold (something) out; to extend (something) forward.
- 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island
- I held out my hand, and the horrible, soft-spoken, eyeless creature gripped it in a moment like a vise. I was so much startled that I struggled to withdraw; but the blind man pulled me close up to him with a single action of his arm.
- 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island
- (idiomatic, often with for) To wait, or refuse in hopes of getting something better (from a negotiation, etc.)
- I am holding out for more money.
- How long has he been holding out?
- (idiomatic) To survive, endure.
- How long can they hold out without water?
- 2011 September 2, “Wales 2-1 Montenegro”, in BBC[1]:
- Stevan Jovetic gave Montenegro hope when he unleashed a pile-driver but Wales held out for a much-needed win.
- (idiomatic, usually with on) To withhold something.
- You've got a key! Why have you been holding out on me?
- (transitive) To set something aside or save it for later.
- Pack the boxes, but hold out a few blue ones for later.
Translations
to hold
to wait for something better
|
endure
withhold something
|
to save something for later
Noun
- Alternative spelling of holdout.