We don't hold out much hope of finding more survivors.
Our supervisor held out the possibility that he would return to work next month.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
hold out something — ˌhold ˈout sth derived to offer a chance, hope or possibility of sth • Doctors hold out little hope of her recovering. Main entry: ↑holdderived … Useful english dictionary
hold out — (something) to offer the possibility that something will happen. We don t hold out much hope of finding more survivors. Our supervisor held out the possibility that he would return to work next month. Usage notes: often used with not as in the… … New idioms dictionary
hold out for — To wait determinedly for (something one wants or has asked for) • • • Main Entry: ↑hold * * * ˌhold ˈout for [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they hold out for he/she/it … Useful english dictionary
hold out little hope (of something …) — hold out little, etc. ˈhope (of sth/that…) | not hold out any, much, etc. ˈhope (of sth/that…) idiom to offer little, etc. reason for believing that sth will happen • The doctors did not hold out much hope for her recovery. Main entry: ↑hopeidiom … Useful english dictionary
hold out an olive branch — hold out/offer an olive branch to do or say something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement with someone. He held out an olive branch to the opposition by releasing 42 political prisoners. (often + to) … New idioms dictionary
hold out for something — ˌhold ˈout for sth derived no passive to cause a delay in reaching an agreement because you hope you will gain sth • The union negotiators are holding out for a more generous pay settlement. Main entry: ↑holdderived … Useful english dictionary
hold out — verb 1. thrust or extend out (Freq. 5) He held out his hand point a finger extend a hand the bee exserted its sting • Syn: ↑exsert, ↑stretch out, ↑put out … Useful english dictionary
hold out — 1) PHRASAL VERB If you hold out your hand or something you have in your hand, you move your hand away from your body, for example to shake hands with someone. [V P n (not pron)] I m Nancy Drew, she said, holding out her hand... [V P n (not pron)] … English dictionary
hold out — phrasal verb Word forms hold out : present tense I/you/we/they hold out he/she/it holds out present participle holding out past tense held out past participle held out 1) [transitive] to hold something where someone else can reach it Gail held… … English dictionary
hold out on — phrasal 1. : to withhold something from she didn t tell me she was rich; she s been holding out on me 2. : to withhold a part or the whole of threatened to hold out on his sister s dividends if she didn t pose Fortune * * * hold out on (informal) … Useful english dictionary
