sticking to your guns

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   Refusing to change your opinion or plan even when other people pressure you to.

   Grammar: Used as a noun-like phrase: it names the act of holding firm, so it often follows 'keep', 'be' or 'about'.

   Patterns

   • keep sticking to your guns
   • be sticking to your guns on something
   • sticking to your guns about something

   Even after the whole team disagreed with her, she kept sticking to her guns.

   He is sticking to his guns on the budget, despite heavy criticism from the board.

   Sticking to your guns is admirable, but sometimes you also need to listen.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   Continuing with a decision you have already made instead of abandoning it under pressure.

   Grammar: Used for decisions and plans as well as opinions; the person can be anyone, so 'his guns' or 'their guns' is fine.

   Patterns

   • stick to your guns and do something
   • be sticking to your guns over something

   The company is sticking to its guns and will open the new store as planned.

   By sticking to their guns, the players forced the club to change the schedule.

Common combinations

keep sticking to your guns

She kept sticking to her guns even when her friends laughed at the idea.

stick to your guns on an issue

The mayor stuck to his guns on the housing plan.

admire someone for sticking to their guns

I admire him for sticking to his guns when everyone else gave in.

sticking to your guns under pressure

Sticking to your guns under pressure takes real confidence.

a case of sticking to your guns

This is a clear case of sticking to your guns rather than compromising.

Synonyms and how they differ

standing your ground

Very close in meaning; it often suggests defending yourself in an argument or physical confrontation, while 'sticking to your guns' stresses keeping a firm opinion or plan.

holding firm

More neutral and slightly more formal; it fits business and news writing better than the informal 'sticking to your guns'.

refusing to budge

Stronger and more stubborn in tone; it often sounds critical, whereas 'sticking to your guns' can sound admiring.

Opposites

Word family

stick to your guns phrase

The base form of the idiom, used for one action or a general habit.

stickler noun

A person who insists on exact rules or standards, though this is a different word family.

Commonly confused: sticking to your guns or stick to your gun? sticking to your guns or stick with it?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “sticking to your guns”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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