stand pat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to neutral, used primarily in business, politics, and everyday conversation.
Quick answer
What does “stand pat” mean?
To refuse to change one's position or opinion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To refuse to change one's position or opinion; to remain firm.
To maintain one's current course of action, especially in the face of pressure or opposition, often implying stubbornness or unwillingness to compromise. In card games (especially poker), it means to play one's hand as dealt without drawing new cards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, especially in political and business contexts. In British English, 'stand firm' or 'dig in one's heels' might be more frequent in similar situations.
Connotations
In the US, it is a well-established idiom in political rhetoric. In the UK, it may sound slightly more American, but is understood.
Frequency
High frequency in American news media; moderate to low in British media, though recognized.
Grammar
How to Use “stand pat” in a Sentence
[Subject] stands pat[Subject] stands pat on [issue][Subject] is standing patVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stand pat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Prime Minister is likely to stand pat on the current tax plan.
- Despite the criticism, the committee stood pat.
American English
- The President decided to stand pat on his foreign policy.
- Investors are urging the company not to just stand pat.
adjective
British English
- Their stand-pat approach to regulation is facing scrutiny.
- He was known for his stand-pat views on the matter.
American English
- The senator's stand-pat strategy alienated moderate voters.
- It was a classic stand-pat budget with no new initiatives.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describing a company's refusal to change its strategy despite market shifts.
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in political science or historical analysis texts.
Everyday
Discussing someone unwilling to change their mind on a personal issue.
Technical
The poker term is technical within card games.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stand pat”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stand pat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stand pat”
- Using it as a transitive verb (e.g., 'He stood pat the decision' – incorrect). It is intransitive or used with 'on'.
- Confusing it with 'stand by' (which implies support or readiness).
- Misspelling as 'stand patt'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily informal to neutral. It is common in journalism, business, and politics but is often replaced by more formal terms like 'remain resolute' in very formal writing.
It can be, but it often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation of stubbornness. A positive use might frame the stance as 'principled' or 'steadfast'.
It originates from poker in the 19th century, where a player 'stands pat' by keeping their original hand without drawing new cards. It was then metaphorically extended to other contexts.
Yes, though less common. You might see 'stand-patter' (noun) referring to a person who refuses to change, or it can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., 'a stand-pat policy').
To refuse to change one's position or opinion.
Stand pat: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstænd ˈpæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstænd ˈpæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Standing pat is his only move.”
- “The stand-pat attitude cost them the deal.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person named Pat standing rigidly in one spot, refusing to move despite people asking them to shift. Pat stands. Pat stands pat.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOVEMENT / FLEXIBILITY IS FLUIDITY. Therefore, refusing to change is conceptualised as standing still ('pat' implying a fixed spot) and being rigid.
Practice
Quiz
In a poker context, what does 'stand pat' mean?