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held out for

[/held aʊt fɔr/]
verb phrase
insistir em; recusar aceitar menos que
1. To refuse to accept something unless one gets what one wants; to persist in demanding something
She held out for a higher salary before accepting the job offer.
Ela insistiu em um salário mais alto antes de aceitar a oferta de emprego.
2. To refuse to give in or surrender; to resist pressure or demands
The protesters held out for better working conditions.
Os manifestantes insistiram em melhores condições de trabalho.
3. To continue waiting or resisting in hopes of achieving a goal
He held out for the right opportunity to come along.
Ele aguardou pela oportunidade certa surgir.
NYC Slang
stand your ground; don't settle
Synonyms
stand firminsist onrefuse to settlewait fordemandpersist
Antonyms
give insurrenderacceptconcedecompromisesettle for

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
insistir em; recusar aceitar menos que
Most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
insistir em; não ceder a
Common business context usage
Portugal
insistir em; não aceitar menos que; resistir
Slightly more formal register

Related Idioms & Phrases

hold out for the best
hold firm
stick to your guns
not budge an inch
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