ichidan verb, transitive verb
hold out; withstand; endure; last
Used when someone or something persists through difficulty, pressure, or attack without giving way. Often implies active resistance or tenacity.
敵の攻撃に最後まで持ちこたえた。
They held out against the enemy's attack to the very end.
This old bridge withstood even a major earthquake.
彼は疲れていたが、なんとか最後まで持ちこたえた。
He was exhausted, but he managed to hang on until the end.