hold one's ground
Refuse to yield
To hold one's ground is to maintain a position against pressure or opposition, refusing to retreat or yield.
The phrase originates in military contexts—troops holding ground against enemy advance—but applies broadly to arguments, negotiations, or any confrontation: She held her ground despite intense criticism.
When they tried to lowball him, he held his ground on the price.
- stand firmRefuse to retreat
- budgeShift or relent
- dig inBegin a meal
- dig one's heels inRefuse to yield
- stick to one's gunsRefuse to change position
tenacity · assertiveness · fortitude · stay put · resolve · determination · take a stand · draw a line · grit · immovability · courage · perseverance · mental toughness · self-possession · endurance · resistance · rooted · stability
hold one's groundretreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
flee · fall back · run away · give ground · beat a retreat
hold one's groundback down
Withdraw from a stance
give in · cave in · capitulate · concede · yield
hold one's groundlose one's nerve
Abandon courage under pressure
crumble · break · falter · buckle under · lose heart
hold, ground, holder, holding, uphold, withhold, holdings, withholding, beholder