Meaning & use
standing pat
Last updated
“standing pat” is a form of “stand pat”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phraseidiomfigurative
Present participle of stand pat: refusing to change a decision, plan or opinion, especially when others want a change.
Grammar: Used without an object; often followed by on: standing pat on the offer.
Patterns
- stand pat on something
- stand pat despite something
The manager is standing pat despite the team's losing streak.
Instead of changing the rules, the board is standing pat.
They are standing pat on their original offer.
phraseidiomspecialist
In card games such as poker, keeping the hand you were dealt without drawing new cards.
Grammar: Used without an object, as a player's choice.
Patterns
- stand pat with something
She was standing pat with a strong hand and bet high.
He kept standing pat even though his cards were weak, hoping to bluff.
Standing pat is risky when others are still improving their hands.
Common combinations
- standing pat on a decision
- The mayor is standing pat on the decision.
- standing pat despite criticism
- The company is standing pat despite criticism.
- standing pat in negotiations
- Both sides were standing pat in negotiations.
- standing pat with a strategy
- The coach is standing pat with the same strategy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- holding firm
- Holding firm sounds more positive and suggests strength, whereas standing pat can imply stubbornness.
- sticking to your guns
- Sticking to your guns stresses defending a belief, while standing pat is about not changing course.
- digging in
- Digging in suggests active resistance, whereas standing pat can be quiet inaction.
Opposites
Word family
- stand pat phrase
- the base form of the idiom
- stood pat phrase
- the past form of the idiom
- stand-patter noun
- a person who opposes change
Commonly confused: standing pat or standing pet?
standing pat vs standing pet
Pat is not the animal word pet; it is an old word meaning exactly or firmly.
Practice
Facing pressure to change, the committee is ___ and keeping the old schedule.
Choose one answer.
Standing pat means refusing to change. Giving way, backing out and starting over all mean changing or leaving the plan.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “standing pat”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.