stayed put
Held one's ground
To stay put is to remain in one place rather than moving or leaving: Stay put while I go get help.
Stayed put is the past tense—someone who stayed put didn't go anywhere despite reasons or pressure to move: The cat stayed put on the warm radiator all afternoon.
The phrase emphasizes deliberate immobility.
- remainedStayed in place
- anchoredFixed securely in position
- immobileUnable to shift
- plantedPut into ground
- fixedRestored or immovable
stood fast · rooted · hunkered · hunkered down · dwelt · linger · unmoving · steadfast · abided · grounded · settled · sat tight · stood still · stationary · static · entrenched · lodged · intact
stayed putbacked down
Retreated from a position
caved in · retreated · yielded · gave way · capitulated
stayed putfled
Escaped from danger
retreated · abandoned ship · backed down · caved · yielded
stay, put, stays, staying, stayed, putting, puts, putter, overstay