holding ground
Maintaining current position
Holding ground is seabed or anchorage bottom evaluated by how well it grips an anchor.
Good holding ground—mud, clay, or sand—lets an anchor dig in and stay fast; poor holding ground—rock, weed, or hard coral—allows anchors to drag.
We found good holding ground in the protected cove.
The phrase sometimes extends figuratively to any position that can be defended or maintained.
- defendingProtecting against harm
- resistingActively opposing pressure
- entrenchedFirmly established, resistant to change
- dig inBegin a meal
- digging inEstablishing a defensive position
fortified · defensive position · steadfast · unwavering · last stand · territory · position · battle lines · bunker · trenches · no man's land · siege · stubborn · rooted · anchored · immovable · battleground · stronghold
holding groundretreating
Moving back from advance
advancing · falling back · losing ground · gaining ground · giving way
holding, ground, hold, holds, held, holder, holders, beholden, behold