holdout

• Nom désignant une personne qui refuse de parvenir à un accord lors de négociations, ou l'acte même de ce refus, souvent dans le but d'obtenir de meilleures conditions ; se réfère aussi à la dissimulation de cartes à jouer pour un usage ultérieur dans les jeux d'argent.

A noun referring to a person who refuses to reach an agreement in negotiations, or the act of such refusal, often to gain better terms; also refers to the act of concealing playing cards for later use in gambling.

1. Stubborn negotiatorB2formal

   A person or group that refuses to reach an agreement in hopes of obtaining more favorable terms.

   Négociateur intransigeant

   • The union was a holdout in the labor negotiations for weeks.
   • He played the role of the holdout during the contract talks.
   • The small town was the last holdout against the new policy.

   Synonymesdissenterhardlinerintransigentobstructionistrecalcitrant

2. Act of delaying agreementB2formal

   The deliberate refusal to agree or compromise in a negotiation, done in order to gain concessions.

   Obstruction à un accord

   • Their holdout on the budget issue stalled the entire project.
   • The company's holdout led to a lengthy legal battle.
   • After a month of holdout, the parties finally signed the deal.

   Synonymesintransigenceobstructionresistancestallingstonewalling

   Antonymesacquiescenceagreementcompromiseconcessionyield

3. Card concealment in gamblingC1slang

   The act of secretly keeping playing cards hidden during a game, so they can be used later to gain an unfair advantage.

   Dissimulation de cartes

   • The gambler was caught using a holdout in the poker tournament.
   • He perfected a holdout technique to hide an ace up his sleeve.
   • Holdout devices are illegal in most casinos.