hold out — refuse to compromise
to deliberately refuse to accept an offer, agree to terms, or compromise, especially in negotiations or discussions, often in order to get a better deal or outcome.
Say it like a native
Textbook The union refused to accept the offer in pursuit of better terms.
Native The union held out for a better deal.
'Hold out (for)' naturally means refuse to settle until you get what you want. The formal version is heavy.
Pattern: hold out (for something)
In use
- The union leaders held out for better pay and refused to sign the agreement until their demands were met.negotiation
- While several countries were willing to sign the treaty, a few held out for stricter environmental protections before agreeing.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ They held out a higher offer.
✓ They held out for a higher offer.
'Hold out FOR something' = refuse to settle for less. Without 'for' it means physically extend.
Common collocations
hold out for— for more, for a better deal, for a raise, longer
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense of 'hold out' (to survive or last in a difficult situation), this sense is about refusing to accept an offer or compromise, not about enduring hardship.
Related
- hold out (to last or survive in a difficult situation) — 'hold out' also has the more basic meaning 'to last or survive in a difficult situation'; this is the advanced sense.