holding out until

USAGE SUMMARY

"holding out until" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to waiting or resisting until a specific time or event occurs. Example: "She was holding out until the last minute to make her decision." Alternative expressions include "waiting until" and "resisting until."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We're holding out until we are the only one left.

The Guardian

New York was the last racing jurisdiction to legalize furosemide, holding out until 1995.

The New York Times

"We are just holding out until we get cleared away eventually," said a young protester.

The Economist

Bake a reward into the actual behavior, rather than holding out until you've achieved some far-off goal.

University of California, Berkeley

But Ms. Harris wagered that holding out until the end in the settlement talks would give her the most leverage.

The New York Times

The band was relatively slow to adapt to digital music, holding out until 2007 to sell its music on iTunes.

The New York Times

He recommends redoubling sanctions and holding out until Iran is forced to concede to the world's demands.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Can Spaniards hold out until then?

The Economist

The Semigallians held out until 1290.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I held out until I was six.

The Guardian - Books

A star cornerback who held out until days ago.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In historical or military writing, use this phrase to describe sieges or defensive stands where endurance is the primary theme.

Common error

Avoid using "holding out until" if the subject has no agency or choice in the matter. For example, if a train is simply late, it is not "holding out"; use "delayed until" instead. Save "holding out" for subjects exhibiting resolve or strategic intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding out until" functions as a complex predicate composed of the phrasal verb "hold out" and the temporal preposition "until". According to Ludwig, it serves to link an ongoing state of resistance or waiting to a specific terminal event or time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "holding out until" is a powerful and correctly structured English phrase that describes a subject's resolve to maintain a state until a specific condition is met. Data from Ludwig AI indicates that it is an extremely common expression in news and media, particularly in stories involving negotiations, product releases and historical sieges. While it is similar to "waiting until", the inclusion of the phrasal verb "hold out" adds a distinct layer of active resistance or tactical patience. Whether you are writing a news report or an academic essay, this phrase effectively communicates a subject's endurance against external pressures or the passing of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting until

A more neutral temporal alternative lacking the sense of active resistance.

holding off until

Suggests a proactive choice to delay a specific action rather than enduring a state.

resisting until

Stronger emphasis on the opposition to an external force or change.

delaying until

Focuses primarily on the shifting of a timeline.

withholding until

Specifically refers to keeping back information, payment or consent.

postponing until

Used in more formal or administrative contexts regarding scheduled events.

standing firm until

Highlights the moral or tactical resolve of the subject.

staying until

A simpler, purely physical description of remaining in a place or state.

holding back until

Implies emotional restraint or physical withholding of an asset.

lingering until

Suggests remaining longer than necessary or expected.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "holding out until"?

You can use alternatives like "waiting until", "holding off until" or "resisting until" depending on whether you want to emphasize simple time or active opposition.

Is "holding out until" the same as "holding off until"?

Not exactly. While "holding off until" usually implies a deliberate pause before starting an action, "holding out until" typically implies enduring a difficult situation or resisting pressure from others.

How to use "holding out until" in a sentence?

A common way to use it is: "The company is waiting until the fourth quarter to release the product" or "The rebels were "staying until" reinforcements arrived".

What is a formal alternative to "holding out until"?

In a professional or business report, you might prefer more precise terms like "delaying until" or "postponing until".