vor|halten
Translation
to hold in front, to reproach, to last, to hold out
Examples
Er hielt mir einen Spiegel vor.
He held a mirror up to me.
Sie hat ihm seine Fehler vorgehalten.
She reproached him for his mistakes.
Der Vorrat wird nicht lange vorhalten.
The supply will not last long.
Grammar Patterns
((j-m)) ((et4)) vorhalten to reproach (sb.) for (sth.) She reproached him for his lies.
((lange)) vorhalten to last (long) The battery is supposed to last long.
Similar Words
vorwerfen (to accuse), ausreichen (to suffice)
Etymology
From the prefix `vor-` (before, in front) + the verb `halten` (to hold). Literally 'to hold before'.
Memory Tips
Picture 'holding' (`halten`) something 'in front' (`vor`) of someone. This can be a physical object like a mirror, or a figurative one like a fault or accusation.