hold the line

phrase

: to maintain the current position or situation

hold the line on prices

Examples of hold the line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Better yet, Apple held the line on cost—unlike Google and Samsung, both of which raised watch prices this generation. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias vowed to hold the line on property taxes if elected Chicago mayor, saying instead the path to righting the city’s fiscal ship goes through Springfield. — Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

The glasses will continue to proliferate, undoubtedly, but establishments like Basement are holding the line. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

This inhibits collective action because each country, offered selective relief in some cases, has reason to cut its own deal rather than hold the line with the others. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hold the line

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline