hold out on

phrase

: to withhold something (such as information) from

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hold out on was in 1907

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hold out on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20out%20on. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster