stand pat

British  

verb

1. poker to refuse the right to change any of one's cards; keep one's hand unchanged

2. to resist change or remain unchanged

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stand pat Idioms  

1. Refuse to change one's position or opinion, as in We're going to stand pat on this amendment to the bylaws. This expression may be derived from the verb pat in the sense of “strike firmly and accurately.” [Late 1800s]

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Other Word Forms

• standpatter
  noun

Example Sentences

The Fed will stand pat to see how it all sorts out.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

The central bank makes a sensible decision to stand pat on rates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The central bank makes a sensible decision to stand pat on rates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Last season, the Rams thought their young and talented pass rush could compensate for their decision not to stand pat with the cornerbacks and safeties from the 2024 season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

You are in a position to stand pat and by just doing nothing smash Sledge Hume's little game all to flinders.

From The Short Cut by Johnson, Frank Tenney