hold fast
To stubbornly resist assault, pressure or opposition, either physically or mentally.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You must hold fast to your beliefs during this argument.”
“Despite the intense pressure from the board of directors, the manager decided to hold fast to his original plan.”
“Even as the storm battered the old lighthouse, the keeper chose to hold fast to his post, refusing to abandon his duty.”
From the verb *hold*, meaning to grasp or grip, and the adverb *fast*, signifying resolutely or steadfastly. The compound functions as a directive for maintaining a firm physical or metaphorical attachment.
- 01
apron-string hold
An estate held by a man during his wife's life.
- 02
buy and hold
A passive investment strategy where an investor purchases an asset and retains it for many years, rather than trading it frequently.
- 03
come thick and fast
To arrive rapidly in large groups.
- 04
don't hold your breath
Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen soon or at all.
- 05
fast and furious
Rapid and energetic.
- 06
fast asleep
Sleeping, in a deep sleep.
- 07
fast sheet
A hotel or similar establishment catering to prostitutes.
- 08
fast times
A period of time characterized by quickly-paced activity, especially involving extravagant or risky conduct, sexual behavior, or other exciting events.
Last updated August 10, 2026