hold your position

USAGE SUMMARY

"Hold your position" is an expression used in written English.
You can use it to tell someone to maintain their position or stance on something, such as a policy issue or political opinion. For example, you could say, "The public is divided on this issue, but I'm asking you all to hold your position on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Remember to hold your position on the fourth beat," he said, bending his knees.

The New Yorker

It's always difficult if there is a downhill bit just before the finish as it's hard to hold your position.

The Guardian - Sport

Deng summed up the policy in a famous slogan: "Coolly observe, calmly deal with things, hold your position, hide your capacities, bide your time, accomplish things where possible".

The Economist

"Our friends kept saying, 'Hold your position' when we found a good sale, but I don't stop for anyone on garage sale day!" Tagging along with others on their junk journeys is a highlight of the season.

The New York Times

Early on she quotes approvingly a maxim from Deng Xiaoping: "Coolly observe, calmly deal with things, hold your position, hide your capacities, bide your time, accomplish things where possible".

The Guardian - Books

The river was pouring onto you, and you had to fight like mad to hold your position, curving to left and right, braking with a low brace when the nose sank in the trough, paddling hard on the crest when the water threatened to toss you out.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Hold your positions.

The New York Times

When the clashes began, shouts went up, "Hold your positions!

The New Yorker

"You've got to hold your positions with conviction and concentrate on the fixed points on the horizon".

The New York Times

The stronger you are, the higher you can jump and the easier it is to hold your positions, so I do a lot of strength and conditioning training – gym-based workouts that target specific muscles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Futures are taxed oddly: No matter how long you hold your positions, they are treated as 60% long term (thus getting taxed at a mere 15 % and 40% short term (taxed up to 35%).

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In strategic contexts, combine "hold your position" with a clear explanation of why maintaining that position is crucial to the overall goal. For example, "Hold your position at the front line; we need to secure this territory."

Common error

The instruction "hold your position" can be confusing if the context isn't clear. Ensure the listener knows whether you're referring to a physical location, a strategic viewpoint, or a stance on an issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold your position" primarily functions as an imperative, used to give a command or instruction. It directs someone to maintain their current location, stance, or status. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is used in various contexts, from military commands to strategic advice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold your position" is a versatile imperative used to instruct someone to maintain their current location, stance, or status. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as in wikis. While grammatically straightforward, it's crucial to ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "maintain your stance", "keep your ground", and "stand firm". Remember to specify the boundaries or reasons for maintaining the position to enhance understanding and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Defend your position

Emphasizes the act of protecting or justifying a stance.

Stand firm

Highlights resilience and determination in maintaining a position.

Maintain your stance

Focuses on maintaining a viewpoint or opinion.

Stick to your guns

Focuses on maintaining a belief or principle despite opposition.

Keep your ground

Emphasizes defending a physical or metaphorical space.

Stay the course

Suggests continuing on a planned path or strategy.

Uphold your view

Highlights the act of supporting or maintaining a particular opinion.

Retain your viewpoint

Specifically refers to keeping a particular perspective or opinion.

Don't yield

Emphasizes resistance to change or pressure.

Stay put

Implies remaining in a specific location without moving.

FAQs

How can I use "hold your position" in a sentence?

You can use "hold your position" to instruct someone to maintain their current location, stance, or opinion. For example, "The general ordered the troops to hold their position" or "Despite the criticism, she decided to hold her position on the matter".

What does it mean to "hold your position"?

To "hold your position" means to maintain your current location, viewpoint, or status. It implies resisting any pressure to move or change.

What can I say instead of "hold your position"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain your stance", "keep your ground", or "stand firm" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hold your positions"?

Yes, "hold your positions" is the plural form and is used when addressing multiple people or entities, instructing them to each maintain their individual locations or stances. It can be found in contexts such as military commands and sports strategies.