hold out
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.
To keep resisting; not yield; refuse to give up.
The city held out for six months under siege.
If our supply of food and water holds out, we plan to camp here for another week. However, whenever it gives out, we’ll have to leave.
That nation’s troops cannot hold out much longer against the superior forces of the enemy.
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.
The valuable football player held out for more money before signing a new contract with his team.
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.
hold over
To remain or keep in office past the end of the term.
The city treasurer held over for six months when the new treasurer died suddenly.
The new President held the members of the Cabinet over for some time before appointing new members.
To extend the engagement of; keep longer.
The theater held over the feature film for another two weeks.
They are going to hold over that movie for another week because so many people are coming to see it.
Let’s hold discussion of this problem over until our next meeting.
To delay action on; to postpone: to defer.
The directors held over their decision until they could get more information.
hold still
To remain motionless.
"Hold still," the dentist said. "This won't hurt you at all."
Please hold still while I adjust your tie.
If you don’t hold that camera still, you’ll get a blurred picture.
hold the bag
To be made liable for or victimized.
We went out to dinner together but when it was time to pay I was left holding the bag.
hold the fort
To defend a fort successfully; fight off attackers.
The little group held the fort for days until help came.
To keep a position against opposing forces.
Friends of civil liberties held the fort during a long debate.
to keep service or operations going.
It was Christmas Eve, and a few workers held the fort in the office.
Mother and Father went out and told the children to hold the fort.
hold the line
To keep a situation or trouble from getting worse; hold steady; prevent a setback or loss.
The mayor held the line on taxes.
The company held the line on employment.
hold the stage
To continue to be produced and to attract audiences.
"Peter Pan" holds the stage year after year at its annual Christmas showing in London.
To be active in a group; attract attention.
We had only an hour to discuss the question and Mr. Jones held the stage for most of it.
Jane likes to hold the stage at any party or meeting, so she does and says anything.
hold true
hold good
To remain true.
It has always held true that man cannot live without laws.
Bob is a good boy and that holds true of Jim.