hold out
verb- To hold (something) out; to extend (something) forward. · He held out his hand, and I grabbed it.
- To offer, present (a hope, possibility, opportunity etc.) · The prospectus held out the promise of enormous profits to be made.
- To wait, or refuse in hopes of getting something better (from a negotiation, etc.) · I am holding out for more money.· How long has he been holding out?
- To survive, endure. · How long can they hold out without water?
- To withhold something. · You've got a key! Why have you been holding out on me?
- To set aside something or save it for later. · Pack the boxes, but hold out a few blue ones for later.
From the library
Just hold out while I fix the derbies.”
Consider also that I fully believed I had accomplished the end and aim of my undertaking, for which I had so exactly husbanded my strength as to make it just hold out to the termination of my enterprise; and now, at the moment when I reckoned upon success, my hopes are forever dashed from me.
“And yet there are singular points about it which hold out some hopes for our client.”
When they parted, Lady Catherine, with great condescension, wished them a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford again next year; and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to courtesy and hold out her hand to both.
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