1 A2 neutral
To extend your hand or an object toward someone, offering or presenting it.
"She held out her hand and introduced herself with a smile."
separable
hold out
B2 neutral both transitive/intransitive
To extend your hand or an object toward someone, to resist surrendering or yielding, or to last under difficult conditions.
In plain English
To put your hand or something forward for someone to take, to refuse to give in, or to survive as long as possible.
What does "hold out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To resist giving in, surrendering, or compromising, often over an extended period.
"The besieged city held out for three months before finally negotiating a ceasefire."
“
We will hold out for a fair deal and nothing less.
— Various trade union negotiating statements (widely attested pattern in labor journalism)
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To last or survive under difficult conditions, often referring to supplies, people, or energy.
"Do you think the food will hold out until the rescue team arrives?"
inseparable
4 C1 idiomatic formal
To offer or give hope, a possibility, or a prospect (usually in the phrase 'hold out hope/promise').
"Doctors are holding out little hope for a full recovery."
“
The new treatment holds out real promise for patients with this condition.
— The Lancet (widely attested phrasing in medical journalism)
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To extend something outward with your hand — the physical sense is transparent.
Actually means
To put your hand or something forward for someone to take, to refuse to give in, or to survive as long as possible.
Usage tip
Three quite different senses coexist. The 'extend hand/object' sense is transitive and separable. The 'resist/refuse to yield' sense is intransitive. The 'last/survive' sense is intransitive. All three are common. In negotiations, 'hold out for' means to insist on getting a specific thing.
Words that pair with "hold out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hope hand offer supplies forces troops longer promise
How to conjugate "hold out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
hold out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
holds out
he/she/it
Past simple
held out
yesterday
Past participle
held out
have + pp
-ing form
holding out
continuous
Hear "hold out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hold out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.