hold hard

1. To remain still; to stop or wait. Primarily heard in UK. Hold hard—we can't move these boards till the concrete has set. Tell your men to hold hard until we can figure out the best angle of attack. Wait, what was that noise? Hold hard while I scope things out.

2. To remain determined, stalwart, and unyielding, as in one's position or opinion. Primarily heard in UK. Though it may prove difficult, we must hold hard in our pledge to environmental reform. I've held hard to my principles my whole life, and I don't intend to compromise them now with your gang of thugs! Aunt Betty's the furthest thing from an undecided voter—she always holds hard to her political party.

hold hard

used to exhort someone to stop or wait. British

Hold hard was originally an exclamation warning riders in the hunting field to pull hard on the reins to make their horses stop, similar to hold your horses below.