# hold hard

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hold-hard
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To stubbornly resist assault, pressure or opposition, either physically or mentally.

## Examples

- The team must hold hard against the pressure to win.
- You must hold hard against your fear when you speak in public.
- The soldiers hold hard against the enemy attack to protect the city.
- Even when the market crashed, the small business owners decided to hold hard and keep their doors open.
- The protesters decided to hold hard at the entrance of the park, refusing to move even when the security guards told them to leave.
- During the long meeting, she had to hold hard to her budget plan because her colleagues wanted to spend more money than they had.
- Despite the relentless criticism from his peers, the researcher chose to hold hard to his original hypothesis until the final data proved him correct.

## Origin

From *hold*, in the sense of maintaining a position, and *hard*, meaning resolutely or steadfastly. The phrase originated as a command used in riding or driving horses to signal an immediate and firm halt, subsequently passing into general usage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.