hold out
[verb]
Synonyms: offer, extend, give, pose, present, proffer, tender

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

hold out phrasal verb (see also hold)

1. hold out something to think or say that something is possible or likely to happen, especially something good
not hold out much hope/hold out little hope
Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement.
hold out the prospect/promise of something
alternative methods which hold out the promise of improved health

2. if a supply of something holds out, there is still some left:
Water supplies won’t hold out much longer.

3. to continue to successfully defend a place that is being attacked:
The rebels held out for another night but then fresh forces arrived.

4. to try to prevent yourself from doing something that someone is trying to force you to do
hold out against
I didn’t know how much longer I could hold out against their relentless questioning.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

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
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?

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hold out something
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
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?

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hold out
reach out, extend
She held out her hand to help her mother climb up the stairs.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hold out
v. phr.
1. To put forward; reach out; extend; offer.
Mr. Ryan held out his hand in welcome.
The clerk held out a dress for Martha to try on.
The Company held out many fine promises to Jack in order to get him to work for them.
2. To keep resisting; not yield; refuse to give up.
The city held out for six months under siege.
Compare: HANG ON, HOLD ON.
3. To refuse to agree or settle until one's wishes have been agreed to.
The strikers held out for a raise of five cents an hour.
4. slang To keep something from; refuse information or belongings to which someone has a right.
Mr. Porters partner held out on him when the big payment came in.
Mother gave Bobby cookies for all the children in the yard, but he held out on them and ate the cookies himself.
John knew that the family would go to the beach Saturday, but he held out on his brother.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲