English Reference
Idiom idiom

stay the course


To persist or continue, especially in the face of difficulties.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

It is hard, but you must stay the course.

CONTEXTUAL

Even when the project became difficult, the team decided to stay the course until they finished.

COMPLEX

Despite the mounting opposition from his critics, the leader resolved to stay the course and implement the reforms he had promised.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    crash course

    A quick, intense course of learning, especially one which is informal or hurried.

  2. 02

    due course

    Regular or appropriate passage or occurrence

  3. 03

    horses for courses

    Different people are suited for different jobs or situations; what is fitting in one case may not be fitting in another.

  4. 04

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

  5. 05

    matter of course

    A natural or logical outcome; perforce.

  6. 06

    par for the course

    To be expected; normal; common.

  7. 07

    reverse course

    To stop and proceed in the opposite direction.

  8. 08

    stay away

    To avoid or not go anywhere near someone or something.

Last updated August 10, 2026