← Back to collection
Region: General | Usage example: She held her own during the heated debate.

Hold your own

Meaning

Maintain one's position or perform equally with others.

Usage

Used when praising resilience or competence.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Military and sporting contexts about maintaining a defensive line.

Used in English since the 19th century.