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hold out

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hold out

(against someone or something) to continue one's defense against someone or something. We can hold out against them only a little while longer. Dave can hold out forever.

See also: hold, out

hold out (for someone or something)

to strive to wait for someone or something. I will hold out for someone who can do the job better than the last person we interviewed. I want to hold out for a better offer.

See also: hold, out

hold someone or something out (of something)

 and hold someone or something out

to set someone or something aside from the rest; to prevent someone or a group from participating. Her parents held her out of sports because of her health. They held out every player who had an injury.

See also: hold, out

hold something out (to someone)

to offer something to someone. I held a bouquet of roses out to her. I held out an offer of immunity from prosecution to her, but she would not cooperate.

See also: hold, out

hold out

1. to continue to defend yourself without being defeated The city won't be able to hold out much longer against the bombing attacks.

2. to continue to demand something in a determined way The factory workers are holding out for a pay increase.

3. to continue to be enough How much longer will our food supplies hold out?

See also: hold, out

hold out something

to offer the possibility that something will happen We don't hold out much hope of finding more survivors. Our supervisor held out the possibility that he would return to work next month.

Usage notes: often used with not as in the first example

See also: hold, out

hold out

1. Extend, stretch forth; also, present or offer something. For example, He held out his hand and she took it, or The new policy held out promise of major changes in the welfare program. These usages date from the first half of the 1500s and of the 1600s respectively.

2. Last, continue to be in supply or service, as in The food is holding out nicely. [Late 1500s] Also see hold up, def. 4.

3. Continue to resist, as in The garrison held out for another month. [Second half of 1700s]

4. Withhold cooperation, agreement, or information, as in We've asked for a better deal, but they've been holding out for months. It is also put as hold out on, as in They were still holding out on some of the provisions, or He's not telling us what happened; he's holding out on us.

5. hold out for. Insist on obtaining, as in The union is still holding out for a better contract. [c. 1900]

See also: hold, out

hold out

v.

1. To present or proffer something as being attainable: I held a carrot out for the rabbit. The valet held out the keys for us.

2. To continue to be in supply or service; last: Our food held out during the blizzard.

3. To continue to resist: The defending garrison held out for a month.

4. To refuse to reach or satisfy an agreement: The union held out for three months without signing the contract.

See also: hold, out