hold the line

Idioms  

1. Maintain the existing position or state of affairs. For example, We'll have to hold the line on spending until our profits rise. This term alludes to former military tactics, in which a line of troops was supposed to prevent an enemy breakthrough. Eventually, it was transferred to civilian enterprises. [Mid-1900s]

---

Example Sentences

But oil-producing nations held the line that they should be allowed to use their fossil fuel resources to grow their economies.

From BBC

He, with the support of most of his colleagues on the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee, held the line until September.

From MarketWatch

If he holds the line in negotiations, he could anger centrists eyeing difficult re-election battles.

From BBC

Biden has held the line on the debt ceiling and now faces no easy choices about what to do.

From Washington Post

“We’re kind of holding the line while the habitat restoration work catches up.”

From New York Times