The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word PROFFER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
R
O
F
F
E
R
More clues leading to the result PROFFER
- Advance before meeting resistance, keeping at a distance
- Present teacher and revolutionary judge
- Prince with sick queen to hold out
- Present lecturer’s iron rule
- Tender pair, shortly before proposal
- Set forth by taking resistance off
- Academic female, top lady becoming tender
- “I’ll improve your image” is an example put forward
- Tender college teacher brings up short citation
- Put forward attempt to support a voting system
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to hold out" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to hold out = proffer.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PROFFER mean?
PROFFER noun- An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by another; a tender.
- An attempt, an essay.
- To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a tender of.
- To attempt or essay of one's own accord; to undertake or propose to undertake.