to stand firm
22
3.7
- phrasal verb
- /stænd fɜrm/
:
mantenerse firme
- Despite facing pressure from his colleagues, John decided to stand firm on his proposal for change.
- the president stood firm
- the government has stood firm
The people stood strong, stood firm, stood up for what they believed in.
- The people stood strong, stood firm, stood up for what they believed in.
- So tell me, when the world pressures you, do you stand firm or are you staying silent?
- Women get intrigued by a man that stands firm in who he is and showcases confidence.
- Wait until you hear what happened to one progressive lawmaker when he dared to stand firm against the mob.
- Enforcing that clause brought difficulties, and her manager, Saul Hirock, stood firm.
- What if we decided to take all the parts of healthcare that have drifted away from us and stand firm and say no, these things are ours.
- Alice and the other women stood firm and the battle ensued that afternoon across the road, Parliament Square.
- I will stand firm and I'm not going to waste my time because I have full confidence that I will go through.
- But unfortunately, some people are still standing firm against science.
- But through it all, you know, I stand firm.
- And by the way, I, I don't, I don't necessarily disagree with the criticism, but I will stand firm, at least for myself on this.
- We're left with nowhere to stand firm amidst the torrent of things rushing past.
- And so the masculine component stands strong, stands firm in who they are and what they know.
Examples
-
They are testing you to see if you will stand firm.
-
He said the government will stand firm on its decision.
-
But unfortunately, some people are still standing firm against science.
-
My father used to say, "Plant your feet and stand firm."
-
I will stand firm and I'm not going to waste my time because I have full confidence that I will go through.
-
And if we do all stand firm, we may preserve peace in China and indeed in the whole world.
-
The United States will need to decide when to stand firm, when to engage, and when simply to agree to disagree.
Academic text (2010) -
And I am even happier to see that you stand firm in your belief.
Blog text (12) -
In the face of teenage chaos, teachers are supposed to stand firm, be certain, and remain consistent.
Academic text (2005) -
The president stood firm against a determined two-month strike by public sector petroleum workers in early 1995.
Academic text (1996)
Synonyms
∞
2.7
To have a particular opinion on something
∞
2.8
Say or demand something firmly and refuse to change your mind
311
2.2
Act against authority, rules or change
293
3.2
To defend yourself when someone treats you unfairly
163
4.4
Say firmly that something is true
139
3.7
To refuse to give up until you get what you want
122
4.2
To resist strong or harmful force without breaking
62
3.7
To keep doing something or keep holding a belief despite difficulty
25
5.7
To keep your position when others disagree
25
3.5
To stay loyal to a promise, plan or belief
23
4.6
Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something
12
6.7
Keep supporting your idea when others disagree
9
4.5
To refuse to change your opinion or decision despite pressure
8
5.4
To refuse to change a decision or rule under pressure
4
6.4
Refuse to change your mind when others disagree
2
4.4
Keep the same decision even when others disagree
2
7.9
To keep the same opinion or decision and not change it
2
7.7
To refuse to change your mind and stay firm
1
7.8
Refuse to change an opinion or position at all
1
6.7
Refuse to change an opinion or plan when pressed
1
4.4
To state an opinion strongly and refuse to change it when others disagree
1
5.4
Keep doing what you believe is right even when it is hard
Antonyms
How Firm
29
6.9
- Informal
25
5.7
22
3.7
52
5.7
220
3.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to refuse to change your decision/opinion' is directly and transparently derivable from combining 'stand' (to hold or defend a position) with 'firm' (resolute). This verb+adjective composition follows a common English pattern and has clear cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
The verb stand firm comes from a simple image: to stand on solid, firm ground so you will not be pushed away. So it means 'refuse to change your decision or opinion', even when others try to make you change it.