Refuse to rise when lacking influence (2,3)

'refuse to rise' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'lacking influence' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'lacking' could be 'no' (eg lacking money means with no money) and 'no' is located in the answer.
'influence' could be 'say' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'say' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?