holdout

• ⇰ a negotiator who hopes to gain concessions by refusing to come to terms after most other participants have signed an agreement; <as>as, their star pitcher was a <ex>holdout</ex> for six weeks</as>.
• ⇰ a refusal by a negotiator to come to terms in the hope of obtaining a better deal.
• ⇰ the act of hiding playing cards in a gambling game so they are available for personal use later.