Definition of "hold out"

hold out

verb
third-person singular simple present holds out, present participle holding out, simple past and past participle held out
1. (transitive, literally) To hold (something) out; to extend (something) forward.
  Quotations
  I held out my hand, and the horrible, soft-spoken, eyeless creature gripped it in a moment like a vise. I was so much startled that I struggled to withdraw; but the blind man pulled me close up to him with a single action of his arm.
  1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London, Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883
2. (figuratively) To offer, present (a hope, possibility, opportunity etc.)
3. (idiomatic, often with for) To wait, or refuse in hopes of getting something better (from a negotiation, etc.)
4. (idiomatic) To survive, endure.
  Quotations
  Stevan Jovetic gave Montenegro hope when he unleashed a pile-driver but Wales held out for a much-needed win.
  2011 September 2, “Wales 2-1 Montenegro”, in BBC‎
  For the third game in a row, the Boks held out with just one point after seeing off France and England in the quarters and semis respectively.
  2023 October 28, Leighton Koopman, “YES!!! The Springboks beat the All Blacks to win another Rugby World Cup title”, in Independent Online‎
5. (idiomatic, usually with on) To withhold something.
6. (transitive) To set aside something or save it for later.
noun
plural hold outs
1. Alternative spelling of holdout.