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 dollar remained slightly stronger after Fed Chair Powell signaled that the central bank is likely to stand pat on interest rates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 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

It will be difficult for the Fed to stand pat.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

The central bank was widely expected to stand pat, according to a survey of a dozen economists last week by The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

"Hepburn, you and everybody else stand pat until you're called for."

From The Last Straw by Titus, Harold