hold out for

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold out for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to resist accepting something, either literally or metaphorically. For example: "We knew the salary offer wasn't ideal, but we decided to hold out for something better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hold out for enthusiasm".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They could not hold out for long.

The New Yorker

But hold out for the napoleon.

The New York Times

Don't hold out for privatisation.

The Guardian

But Felcsút didn't hold out for long.

The Guardian

Shareholders should hold out for more.

The Guardian - Business

Couldn't we hold out for more discoveries?

The Washington Post

Some people hold out for Harry Nilsson or Marion Williams.

The New Yorker

(Would they hold out for major events, like nuclear winter?

The New York Times

He can hold out for his seven days of quiet.

The Economist

We're not going to hold out for everything".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold out for" when you want to emphasize the act of resisting settling for something less than desired or expected. For example: "Don't just accept the first job offer, "hold out for" something that truly aligns with your career goals."

Common error

Avoid using "hold out for" when a simple 'wait' or 'expect' would suffice. "Hold out for" implies active resistance or a deliberate decision to not settle, so ensure the situation warrants this stronger connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hold out for" is as a phrasal verb. It acts as a verb modifying the subject. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold out for" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express the act of resisting accepting something less desirable in anticipation of a better outcome. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is both correct and commonly used in written English. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. Remember, using "hold out for" implies a deliberate choice to not settle, so be mindful of the context. When you aim for something better and refuse to compromise, "hold out for" is your phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stand firm for

Implies a strong and unwavering position in demanding something better.

wait for

Focuses on the act of waiting, without necessarily implying resistance or demanding something better.

await

A more formal synonym for 'wait for', suggesting anticipation.

resist accepting until

Emphasizes the act of resistance and delaying acceptance.

decline until

Highlights the refusal to accept something until a specific condition is met.

demand until

Focuses on the act of demanding something until it's received.

expect

Implies a belief that something will happen, rather than actively resisting.

postpone acceptance until

Formally indicates delaying acceptance until a certain point or condition.

insist on until

Similar to demand, but with a more persistent and firm stance.

anticipate

Similar to 'expect', but with a stronger sense of looking forward to something.

FAQs

What does "hold out for" mean?

The phrase "hold out for" means to resist accepting something, typically because you believe you can get something better or more desirable. It implies a deliberate decision to wait and not settle for less than what you want.

How can I use "hold out for" in a sentence?

You can use "hold out for" in various contexts, such as: "The union decided to "hold out for" better wages and benefits during the negotiation.", or "She decided to "hold out for" a job offer that matched her skills and experience."

What are some alternatives to "hold out for"?

Alternatives to "hold out for" include "wait for", "expect", "await", "stand firm for", or "insist on until", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "hold out for" formal or informal?

"Hold out for" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall situation.