hold still for

Idioms and Phrases

Also, stand still for . Accept or tolerate something, as in Do you think he'll hold still for your decision? These terms are often put negatively, as in The town won't hold still for another increase in property taxes , or The teacher won't stand still for this kind of behavior . The first expression employs hold in the sense of “sustain a particular position or attitude,” a usage dating from about 1300.