• 
• 

Hold-out halts road project

Even though the word "hold-out" in this headline has been made into a noun, it is used in a similar meaning as its phrasal verb form. I will not tell you now which meaning it is used here but let you judge from its 5 meanings as follow.

a. When someone holds out their hands or something they have in their hand, they move it away from their body, in order to give to or to take something from somebody.

Jack held out some bread to the children; a few of them finished it quickly and held out their hands for some more.

 

b. When you hold out hope of something happening, you offer a possibility or hope for the future that something will happen as you want it to.

Chris has held out hope of seeing his ex-girlfriend one more time before she got married.

c. If somebody refuses to accept something that they think is not adequate and keeps demanding despite other people trying to force them not to.

The students did not accept the college's rule and held out for more freedom.

 

d. When you hold out, you manage to resist your opponent or enemy in a

difficult situation and refuse to surrender..

I don't think our rival has enough cash to hold out for much longer.

e. The last meaning is used in an informal situation; when you hold out on somebody you refuse to give help or information to someone.

We have never received any cooperation from their side; they always hold out  on us.

 

 Do you know now which meaning is used in the headline? Yes, the third one.

 

Which meaning is used in each of the following sentences.

1. Our infantry has held out at the outer post for months now; we can't let it continue like this.

2. A serious-looking officer was standing at the door holding out food coupons to workers.

3. I cannot get the necessary information to do the annual report; the chief accountant is holding out on me.

4. Scientists are holding out hope of finding a cure for bird flu.

5. No matter what the other people are saying, keep holding out for justice.

Answers: 1. d, 2. a, 3. e, 4. b, 5. c

By Parnsap Yomanage