# hold one's own

idiom

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

## Meaning

To demonstrate oneself to be capable; to provide a respectable performance or worthy competition; to stick up for oneself.

## Examples

- She can hold her own in any argument.
- Even though he was the youngest player, he held his own against the older kids.
- Despite her inexperience in such high-stakes negotiations, she held her own, matching the seasoned executives point for point until they finally took her seriously.

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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.