hold ground
Refuse to retreat
To hold ground is to maintain one's position without retreating or yielding.
The phrase originates in military contexts—troops holding ground refuse to fall back under pressure.
It extends to any situation where someone defends their stance: She held her ground during the negotiation, Despite criticism, he held his ground on the policy.
Often interchangeable with stand one's ground.
- stand firmRefuse to retreat
- resistOppose or refuse compliance
- defendProtect from harm
- dig inBegin a meal
- hunker downSettle in defensively
fortify · entrench · steadfast · unwavering · stubborn · tenacious · position · territory · battle · last stand · siege · bunker · trench · foothold · anchor · brace · draw a line · unyielding
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- stubbornnessstubbornness, obstinacy, pigheadedness, bullheadedness, mulishness
- holding firmcling, clutch, grasp, grip, clasp
- support verbsback, support, advocate, defend, endorse
- staying putwait, staying, linger, waiting, remain
- assertiveness tipsspeak up, stand firm, be bold, say no, take a stand
hold groundretreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
fall back · withdraw · give ground · lose ground · pull back
hold groundadvance
Move or progress forward
push forward · gain ground · press on · charge · attack
hold, ground, holds, holding, held, holder, holders, holdings, grounds