hold out
B2Neutral, leaning informal; also used in formal contexts (e.g., business, negotiations).
Definition
Meaning
To extend something forward, or to resist pressure or temptation; to continue to exist or be available.
To offer a possibility or promise; to endure in a difficult situation; to refuse to reach an agreement or settle.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. Has both literal (physically extending) and figurative (enduring, offering, resisting) meanings. Often implies persistence against opposition or difficulty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both varieties use all meanings. 'Hold out for' (to demand) is equally common. 'Hold out on' (to withhold from) is slightly more informal and equally used.
Connotations
In a business context, 'to hold out for a better deal' can imply being stubborn or prudent, depending on perspective.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] hold out [Object] (e.g., He held out his hand).[Subject] hold out for [Noun Phrase] (e.g., They are holding out for a higher salary).[Subject] hold out against [Noun Phrase] (e.g., The town held out against the siege).[Subject] hold out [Object] to [Indirect Object] (e.g., She held out the book to me).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hold out an olive branch”
- “Hold out for a hero”
- “Hold out till the bitter end”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The union is holding out for a 5% pay rise." (Negotiating)
Academic
"The theory cannot hold out against the new empirical evidence." (Argumentation)
Everyday
"Can you hold out the biscuits, please?" (Request)
Technical
"The battery should hold out for another ten hours." (Engineering/Product specs)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He held out his ticket for inspection.
- The supplies won't hold out much longer.
- Don't hold out on me – tell me what you know.
American English
- She held out her hand for a shake.
- How long can you hold out without water?
- The players are holding out for a bigger contract.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard as a single-word adverb. Used in phrases like 'hold out strongly').
American English
- (Not standard as a single-word adverb. Used in phrases like 'hold out stubbornly').
adjective
British English
- (As participle) The holding-out party faces penalties.
- A hold-out tenant refused to leave.
American English
- (As participle) The holding-out player was fined.
- The last hold-out state finally ratified the amendment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please hold out your arm.
- The food must hold out until tomorrow.
- He held out the map so we could all see it.
- I can't hold out much longer, I'm too tired.
- They are holding out for a full apology.
- The defender held out against the relentless attacks.
- The director held out the prospect of a promotion if targets were met.
- A small faction held out, refusing to endorse the treaty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person in a castle under siege HOLDing a flag OUT of the window—they are HOLDING OUT (resisting).
Conceptual Metaphor
RESISTANCE IS HOLDING A POSITION; OFFERING IS HOLDING SOMETHING OUTWARD; ENDURANCE IS HOLDING ON.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'выдерживать' or 'продержаться' in all contexts; 'hold out' implies active resistance, not just passive lasting. 'Hold out a hand' is 'протянуть руку', not 'держать руку'. 'Hold out on someone' (скрывать что-то) is a specific idiom with no direct Russian equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect particle: 'hold up' vs. 'hold out' (robbery vs. resistance). Incorrect object placement: 'He held me out his hand' (incorrect) vs. 'He held out his hand to me' (correct). Overusing 'hold out' for simple 'wait' or 'last'.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'He's been holding out on us,' what does 'holding out' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is separable. 'He held his hand out' / 'He held out his hand.' However, when followed by 'for' or 'against', it is not separated (e.g., 'hold out for payment,' not 'hold payment out for').
'Hold out' focuses on enduring/resisting until a goal or endpoint. 'Hold on' focuses on the act of gripping or waiting temporarily ('Hold on a minute!').
Yes, in the sense of 'offering hope or a possibility.' E.g., 'The research holds out the hope of a cure.'
A 'holdout' is a person or group that refuses to agree or comply, often the last to do so. E.g., 'He was the last holdout in the negotiations.'