stand one's ground

/stænd wʌnz ɡraʊnd/
phraseIntermediate refuse to retreat or yield
What It Really Means
To remain firm in one's position or opinion despite opposition or pressure.
Literal Meaning
To physically remain in a specific location on the ground.
Literal Breakdown
standto be upright on one's feet+one'sbelonging to oneself+groundthe surface of the earth
Mental Image
The image of a person standing firmly on the ground, refusing to move despite external forces.
When to Use
A person in a heated argument refuses to back down and maintains their position despite strong opposition.
Cultural Note
This phrase has military origins, where soldiers were ordered to hold their ground against enemy advances. It has since been generalized to describe any situation where someone remains resolute.
informal

To remain firm in one's position or opinion despite opposition or pressure.

The negotiator stood his ground even when the other party raised their voices.

He remained resolute and did not back down during the heated discussion.

She stood her ground during the debate, defending her stance with evidence.

She maintained her position and supported it with facts.

💡

This phrase is often used to describe someone who remains steadfast in their beliefs or actions.

Collocations

stand firmremain resolutehold one's groundsimilar to 'stand one's ground'

Related Phrases

hold one's groundphrase
similar to 'stand one's ground'
dig in one's heelsidiom
refuse to change one's position

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use this phrase when describing someone who is resolute and unyielding in their stance.

Gold Rule

Formal vs. Informal

While this phrase is idiomatic, it can be used in both formal and informal settings.

📖Word Origin

The phrase originates from military contexts where soldiers were ordered to hold their position against enemy advances. Over time, it has been generalized to describe any situation where someone refuses to give in.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe determination and resolve.

Word Breakdown

stand
to remain in a position
verb
+
one's
possessive form indicating personal position
possessive
+
ground
position or stance
noun
English Dictionary