hold out meaning and examples

Meaning

• Hold out has several meanings depending on context:

  1. To extend or stretch something forward (e.g., a hand, an object).
  2. To continue to resist, survive, or endure a difficult situation.
  3. To last or be sufficient (e.g., supplies, resources).
  4. To refuse to accept something until certain conditions are met.

Grammar and Usage

• Verb type: Phrasal verb (transitive/intransitive depending on meaning).

• Common patterns:

  • hold out sth (to sb) → “She held out her hand to shake.”
  • hold out against sth → “They held out against the enemy.”
  • hold out for sth → “He held out for a better offer.”
  • hold out (intransitive, to endure) → “The soldiers held out for weeks.”

Common Phrases

• hold out your hand – extend a hand.
• hold out against – resist pressure.
• hold out for – wait for something better.
• hold out hope – continue to believe something good may happen.

Collocations

• hold out hope
• hold out your arms
• hold out against pressure
• hold out for a deal
• hold out until help arrives

Examples

1. She held out her hand for him to shake.
2. The soldiers managed to hold out against the attack for three days.
3. Our food supplies won’t hold out much longer.
4. He is holding out for a higher salary before accepting the job.
5. The patient’s family still holds out hope for recovery.
6. She held out the gift to the child with a smile.
7. How long can your savings hold out if you stop working?
8. They held out until reinforcements came.

Synonyms or Related

• endure
• withstand
• resist
• last
• persist

Antonym

• give in
• surrender
• yield
• collapse