hold out — to last or survive in a difficult situation
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutraloccasional
to continue to exist, stay strong, or not give up when things are tough or resources are running out.
Say it like a native
Textbook The defenders managed to survive until reinforcements arrived.
Native They held out until help arrived.
'Hold out' naturally means last or survive under pressure. 'Managed to survive until' is wordy.
Pattern: hold out (for something) | hold out (against something)
In use
- We only have enough food to hold out for another two days.daily life
- During the flood, the villagers had to hold out for a week before help arrived.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Our supplies held on for a week.
✓ Our supplies held out for a week.
For supplies or resistance lasting, use 'hold out' (not 'hold on', which is wait/grip).
Common collocations
hold out— the supplies, the defenders, until help, for days
Don't confuse it
'Hold on' means to wait or not let go, while 'hold out' means to survive or keep going.