Crossword Genius

Declare negotiations are holding up overall (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

general

'overall' is the definition.
('general' can be similar in meaning to 'overall')

'declare negotiations are holding up' is the wordplay.
'are holding' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'up' says the letters should be written backwards (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'lareneg' is hidden within 'declare negotiations'.
'lareneg' backwards is 'GENERAL'.

(Other definitions for general that I've seen before include "Concerning all or most" , "Of wide application" , "Enlarge (anag.)" , "High-ranking officer" , "Not specialised, like army chief" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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