hold (one's) ground

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hold (one's) ground

1. To brace oneself and maintain one's position during or when anticipating an attack. The other team's offense was incredibly aggressive, but our defense held their ground. Despite the guy's size, I managed to hold my ground during the fight.

2. To refuse to yield, compromise, or be belittled; to stand up against an attack or insult. The boss scoffed at her idea initially, but she held her ground and explained it in greater detail. He kept offering me less money, but I held my ground and got the full asking price.

hold/stand your ˈground

face a situation and refuse to run away: In spite of the enemy’s fierce attack, we stood our ground and eventually they had to retreat. ♢ After arguing about future policy for three hours, he was still standing his ground.

See also: ground, hold, stand

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive ?

Gosden said: "She had a 3lb penalty and you don't like to see two-year-olds giving away weight on that holding ground.

Racing: Special win for Guineas favourite; Gosden's filly in prime form

"Jimmy said it felt like a piece of work for her and he rode her well as he didn't stretch her on the holding ground.

Rainbow lights up track; WALES

He was in front at the last in this competitive three-mile test, but his big weight (11st 10lb) took its toll on the run-in in the very holding ground and he was collared by Red Striker and Robbo.

Racing: Horse of the day

Nairobi's Globe Roundabout should be a holding ground for matatus to decongest the CBD, a transport lobby has told court.

Globe Roundabout good for holding matatus, Sonko told

According to Mr Lusaka, the program had not been suspended per se but had only been "staggered" to decongest the holding ground in Athi River.

How corrupt officials converted livestock program to a cash cow

As it has been drying it will be sticky, holding ground and we've taken the worst of it out."

Ground to be at its most testing

The eight-year-old is the only one with winning form this year having landed the Midlands Area Club Ladies Open in holding ground at Thorpe Lodge a fortnight ago and will relish another stamina test.

Point to point review

Norman Beckett, 16-1, was having his first run for Ian Semple in the Smirnoff Vodka Handicap and Eaves brought him with sustained run to catch Secret Liaison, who had looked the winner two out, approaching the final furlong and quickly go seven lengths clear in the holding ground.

Horse Racing: Eaves raises roof

Macaire blamed the tight track and holding ground for Jair Du Cochet's performance and stressed that the horse is still on track for the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle next month, for which he was eased to 8-1 in some lists.

Trainer keeps faith for Festival

But Towcester's holding ground and the stiff uphill finish meant that under a strong ride from Tony McCoy, he had to pull out all the stops.

Claret and blue pair enjoying recent vintage; By VERITAS Racing Correspondent

"The beauty of it being so wet is that it will not impede too many, like holding ground would.

Leopardstown drying, Kempton going heavy

Jumping well, her mount made every yard of the running and stayed on strongly in the holding ground to beat Offcoursehekhan by four lengths.