holding action
Temporary defensive measure
A holding action is a defensive effort meant to maintain a current position rather than advance or retreat.
The term comes from military strategy—troops fighting a holding action delay the enemy while reinforcements arrive or other forces regroup.
More broadly, it describes any temporary measure to preserve the status quo: The budget cuts were just a holding action until the economy improved.
Unresolved confrontation between opponents
- impasseSituation without resolution
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
standstill · equilibrium · status quo · no-man's-land · war of attrition · frozen conflict · ceasefire line · buffer zone
Intentional delay tactics
- buying timeDelaying to gain advantage
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- foot-draggingDeliberate slowness or resistance
procrastination · postponement · deferral · moratorium · suspension · stopgap · placeholder · time-wasting
Maneuver to postpone progress
- rearguardTroops protecting retreating forces
- defensive positionFortified spot for resistance
- fighting retreatOrderly withdrawal under fire
- defensive perimeterFortified boundary around position
strongpoint · entrenchment · fortification · garrison · redoubt · bastion · bunker · trench warfare
Ultimate defensive effort
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
endurance · digging in · attrition warfare · siege mentality · bunker mentality · backs to the wall
standoff
Unresolved confrontation between opponents
- impasseSituation without resolution
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- stagnationAbsence of flow or progress
gridlock · standstill · equilibrium · status quo · no-man's-land · war of attrition · frozen conflict · ceasefire line · buffer zone · demarcation
stalling
Intentional delay tactics
- buying timeDelaying to gain advantage
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
foot-dragging · procrastination · postponement · deferral · moratorium · suspension · stopgap · placeholder · time-wasting · obstruction
delaying tactic
Maneuver to postpone progress
- rearguardTroops protecting retreating forces
- defensive positionFortified spot for resistance
- fighting retreatOrderly withdrawal under fire
defensive perimeter · strongpoint · entrenchment · fortification · garrison · redoubt · bastion · bunker · trench warfare · attrition
last stand
Ultimate defensive effort
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
perseverance · endurance · digging in · attrition warfare · siege mentality · bunker mentality · backs to the wall
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- combat tacticsflanking, ambush, feint, skirmish, firefight
- military tacticstactics, flanking, maneuver, ambush, battle formations
- infantry tacticsfire and maneuver, flanking maneuver, battle drills, defensive positions, ambush tactics
- retreatsspa, retreat house, meditation retreat, writing retreat, wellness retreat
- combatbattle, fight, combat, unarmed combat, grappling
holding actionoffensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
counterattack · attack · assault · advance · charge
holding actiondecisive action
Firm choice, promptly executed
knockout blow · finishing move · coup de grâce · endgame · final push
holding actionbreakout
Sudden escape from restraint
advance · pursuit · flanking maneuver · envelopment · breakthrough
holding, action, hold, holds, holder, holders, holdout, holdover, withhold