hold our ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold our ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea of maintaining one's position or stance in a situation, especially in the face of opposition or challenges. Example: "Despite the criticism, we decided to hold our ground and continue with our original plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Of the current confrontation, he says, "I think it's very important that we hold our ground.

The New York Times

And I first joined the trade union movement to make progress, not to hold our ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We were expected to participate and hold our ground," D'Antoni said.

The New York Times - Sports

'That won't be there in six months,' so we had to be able to hold our ground".

The New York Times

We, as older guys, we don't hold our ground; we'll let an idiot young player get away with it".

The New York Times - Sports

Ahmed Aref, a Brotherhood spokesman, said: "Our vision – the Muslim Brotherhood vision for the coming period – is to back the legitimacy of the president and to hold our ground in the street.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"But we held our ground.

The Guardian

"Instead we just held our ground".

The New York Times

To be a proper measure, we need to factor out money spent simply holding our ground.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Had we not held our ground then, the argument goes, the world might now be a darker place.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lynda Distler, the mayor of Lindenhurst, said, "We are holding our ground against the idea of building a drugstore or gas station on the site".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone when using "hold our ground"; it can sometimes imply a defensive or even confrontational stance. Ensure it aligns with your intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "hold our ground" in situations that don't involve a clear challenge or opposition. In neutral or collaborative scenarios, phrases like "maintain our position" or "stay consistent" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold our ground" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating an action of maintaining a position or defending against opposition. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold our ground" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey the act of maintaining a position or resisting opposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. While it can be used in formal settings, alternative phrases like "maintain our position" or ""remain steadfast"" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context. When using "hold our ground", consider the potential for a defensive or confrontational tone and ensure it aligns with your intended message. Avoid overusing it in neutral situations where a more collaborative or passive expression would be better suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stand our ground

A very similar phrase, interchangeable in many contexts.

stand firm

A more general term for resisting pressure and maintaining a position.

maintain our position

Focuses on preserving a specific location or status.

remain steadfast

Stresses unwavering commitment and resolve.

defend our stance

Emphasizes justifying and protecting a particular viewpoint.

keep our footing

Implies maintaining stability and balance in a challenging situation.

withstand the pressure

Highlights the ability to endure external force or influence.

stay put

A more informal way of saying to remain in a current location.

dig in our heels

Suggests a stubborn refusal to change one's position.

resist the advance

Specifically refers to preventing an opponent from progressing.

FAQs

How can I use "hold our ground" in a sentence?

You can use "hold our ground" to describe maintaining a position or belief despite opposition, such as, "Despite the criticism, we decided to "hold our ground" and proceed with our plan".

What's a more formal alternative to "hold our ground"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "maintain our position" or "defend our stance", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more professional tone.

Is "hold our ground" appropriate for business writing?

While "hold our ground" can be used in business writing, it's important to consider the context. It's suitable when discussing competitive strategies or defending a market share but may be too aggressive for internal communications. Consider using "remain steadfast" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "stand our ground" and "hold our ground"?

"Stand our ground" and ""hold our ground"" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "hold our ground" may slightly emphasize the active effort required to maintain that position, while "stand our ground" can be a more general declaration of intent.