- Meaning
- This idiom means to maintain a position, stance, or effort steadfastly, often under pressure or opposition, refusing to yield or retreat. It suggests standing firm, like soldiers holding a defensive line in battle, and is used in professional, political, or personal contexts to emphasize resilience or determination. The phrase carries a resolute, commanding tone, reflecting cultural values of perseverance and discipline, and often implies a collective effort to uphold standards, prices, or principles against challenges.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in 18th-century military terminology, where ‘holding the line’ meant maintaining a formation against enemy advances. An early use appears in a 1775 American Revolutionary War report, urging troops to ‘hold the line’ at Bunker Hill. The metaphorical use emerged in the 19th century, reflecting political and economic struggles, as seen in Charles Dickens’ *Hard Times* (1854). Its use grew in 20th-century American and British English, particularly in labor strikes and business negotiations, and was popularized through World War I and II rhetoric. The phrase’s martial imagery and universal applicability ensured its spread, especially in contexts of resistance and stability.
- Variants
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- Hold the line
- Hold the line steady
- Keep the line
- Stand the line
- Examples
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- Hold the line on prices—don’t let competitors force a discount.
- She held the line steady, refusing to compromise her principles during the debate.
- Keep the line, team; we can’t let the project slip behind schedule.
- Stand the line against the layoffs—our union is stronger together.
- They held the line during negotiations, securing better terms for the deal.
- Hold the line on your budget, or expenses will spiral out of control.
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