hold the line

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

“I see a lot of companies pre-emptively holding the line, forecasting and hoping that they can have smaller workforces.”

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Kyiv is holding the line despite the combined arms and support of Russia, China and Iran.

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At one point, McLachlan found herself saying that the festival would be looking to add male headliners, only for Emmylou Harris to be the voice of reason, telling her to hold the line.

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Firefighters hold the line in the Sierra, protecting communities and a giant sequoia grove amid a day of ‘dynamic fire activity’ from the Garnet fire.

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The appointee of former President Barack Obama called on her fellow judges to hold the line on campus speech protections.

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