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If you stand pat in draw poker you're betting on the cards in your hand being better than any you're likely to draw. It didn't take long for stand pat to move from the poker table, where it first appeared in the late 1800s, to the realm of politics; by the early 20th century, to stand pat was to oppose any change in U.S. tariff policy. The term continues to be used mainly in U.S. English, where it's applied to everything from a coach's decision not to change out players during a game to a homeowner's decision not to refinance. The nouns standpatter ("one who resists or opposes change") and standpattism ("resistance to change" or "reluctance to take positive action") are also used, although generally only in political contexts.
Examples of stand pat in a Sentence
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Even in 2016 and 2025, the last two seasons to end without a postseason appearance, the Astros either operated as deadline buyers or stood pat.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Analysts expect Chinese policymakers to stand pat on stimulus measures until there are further signs of economic deterioration.
—Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 18 May 2026
There is no way Kroenke can digest the postseason, remove emotion and decide to stand pat.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stand pat
Cite this Entry
“Stand pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand%20pat. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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stand pat
verb
