hold out phrasal verb ( see also ↑ hold )
1 . hold out something to think or say that something is possible or likely to happen, especially something good
not hold out much hope/hold out little hope
Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement.
hold out the prospect/promise of something
alternative methods which hold out the promise of improved health
2 . if a supply of something holds out, there is still some left:
Water supplies won’t hold out much longer.
3 . to continue to successfully defend a place that is being attacked:
The rebels held out for another night but then fresh forces arrived.
4 . to try to prevent yourself from doing something that someone is trying to force you to do
hold out against
I didn’t know how much longer I could hold out against their relentless questioning.