Hold out on Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Secretive Implications Suggests the person is being intentionally secretive for personal reasons. He seems to be holding out on the details of his new project. Pro Tip 2/3Trust Issues May imply a lack of trust or fear of being judged. She's holding out on me; maybe she's afraid I'll react poorly. Pro Tip 3/3Subtle Pressure Often used to gently accuse someone of not being fully open. You're not holding out on me, are you? I thought we had no secrets.