Holdouts

Holdouts are individuals, groups, or entities that refuse to participate or comply with a collective action, agreement, or arrangement, often despite pressure to do so. They may resist joining a merger, accepting a settlement, selling their property, or conforming to new regulations. Their reluctance can stem from a variety of motivations, including financial self-interest, ideological opposition, a desire for more favorable terms, or simply a strong sense of independence. holdouts can significantly impede progress and create obstacles to achieving a shared goal, frequently affecting deadlines and ultimately, increasing the likelihood of complete failure. The term carries a connotation of stubbornness, resistance, or non-cooperation.

Holdouts meaning with examples

• The construction project faced delays because several landowners acted as holdouts, refusing to sell their property to the developers. Their resistance forced the company to negotiate separately, impacting the original timeline and increasing overall costs. They held out for a higher price, seeking to capitalize on the project's urgency. This created significant frustration for the majority of landowners who had already agreed to sell.
• Despite the company’s generous early retirement package, a few senior executives remained holdouts, reluctant to leave their positions. Their continued presence created uncertainty and slowed down the planned restructuring of the company. Management attempted several methods of persuasion. Their refusal to leave hindered the new leadership’s ability to implement its strategic vision and fully control operations.
• In the negotiation process for the peace treaty, certain factions within the rebel group were acting as holdouts, refusing to lay down arms until all their demands were met. Their continued attacks threatened to derail the delicate peace talks, requiring persistent diplomatic efforts. This intransigence prolonged the conflict, putting civilian populations at risk. The stubborn groups proved difficult to influence.
• Even after the new software was implemented across the department, a small number of employees acted as holdouts, refusing to learn the new system and continuing to use the old one. Their resistance hindered the team's productivity and created inconsistencies. This unwillingness to adapt forced the IT team to support multiple systems, creating further issues and adding complexity.
• Several European nations were holdouts during the initial phase of climate change agreements, refusing to commit to emissions reduction targets. Their reluctance, driven by economic concerns, undermined global efforts and set a bad example for developing countries. Their lack of cooperation threatened the effectiveness of the overall strategy and stalled progress on climate goals.