hold hard
1. To remain still; to stop or wait. Primarily heard in UK. Hold hard—we can't move these boards till the concrete has set. Tell your men to hold hard until we can figure out the best angle of attack.
2. To remain determined, stalwart, and unyielding, as in one's position or opinion. Primarily heard in UK. Though it may prove difficult, we must hold hard in our pledge to environmental reform.
hold hard
used to exhort someone to stop or wait. British Hold hard was originally an exclamation warning riders in the hunting field to pull hard on the reins to make their horses stop, similar to hold your horses below.