hold the line

Probably an allusion to a line of soldiers remaining steadfastly in position during combat.

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hold the line (third-person singular simple present holds the line, present participle holding the line, simple past and past participle held the line)

1. (idiomatic) To firmly maintain one's viewpoint, principles, or situation; to refuse to change one's practices or plans.
   • 1966 November 29, “UN Expected To Hold Line On Red China”, in The Robesonian, USA, retrieved 29 August 2012, page 1:

     The UN General Assembly was expected to hold the line again today against seating Red China.

   • 1992 December 9, “Business Loans Up”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 August 2012:

     The quarterly survey . . . said banks were holding the line on lending standards for commercial loans and were more willing to lend to individuals.

   • 2010 July 2, Jay Newton-Small, “Amid a Political Standoff, the Unemployed Still Wait”, in Time:

     But the GOP lawmakers are happy to take home the news that they have held the line against deficit spending.

• stick to one's guns

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