Hold out against Meaning in English
expression
ˈhoʊɫd/ /ˈaʊt/ /əˈɡeɪnst/, /əˈɡɛnst
HOHLD owt uh-GAYNST
hˈəʊld/ /ˈaʊt/ /ɐɡˈɛnst
HOHLD owt uh-GENST
Definition
To continue resisting or not giving in to something, especially pressure, attack, or temptation.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for situations with pressure, attack, or temptation. Common with 'pressure', 'attack', 'change', or negative influences: 'hold out against temptation'. More formal or literary than simply 'resist'. Not used for physical support like 'hold up'.
Spanish: resistir a - oponerse aPortuguese (BR): resistir - aguentar contraPortuguese (PT): resistir - opor-se aChinese (Simplified): 坚持抵抗 - 抵挡Chinese (Traditional): 堅持抵抗 - 抵擋Hindi: मुकाबला करना - विरोध करनाArabic: يصمد أمام - يقاومBengali: প্রতিরোধ করা - টিকে থাকাRussian: противостоять - выдерживатьJapanese: 抵抗する - 持ちこたえるVietnamese: chống cự lại - không khuất phụcKorean: 버티다 - 맞서다Turkish: karşı koymak - direnmekUrdu: مقابلہ کرنا - ڈٹے رہناIndonesian: bertahan melawan - menahan diri
Example Sentences
They tried to hold out against the strong wind.
basic
She couldn't hold out against the temptation of chocolate.
basic
The city managed to hold out against the enemy for weeks.
basic
How long can you really hold out against all that pressure?
natural
Even after hours of debate, he continued to hold out against their ideas.
natural
Some traditions hold out against change for a long time.
natural