hold out (for)

What does hold out (for) in the following three sentences?

1) But an unusually stormy transition from spring toward summer that year held out little hope that there would be a suitable break in the weather.

2) Son and father, together, had saved the day - he by holding out for something he enjoyed and I by having the sense, finally, to realize that he was right, and to let go of my dream of how things should be.

3) The strikers held out for a raise of fifty cents and hour.



My comprehension: 1) perserved 3) brought forward and stuck on

I have no idea about 2). Could you please paraphrase 2) for me?[]

A lot of Thanks in advance!