| 词汇 | hold the line |
| 释义 | Idiom hold the line (at someone or something) Theme: LIMITATION to limit the number or degree of someone or something; to limit (something) to someone or something.The room will seat fifty, but I think you should hold the line at forty.The Browns and the Smiths could be invited, but I think we ought to hold the line at the Browns.Okay, we'll hold the line. Idiom hold the linehold the line (on something) to not reduce or increase something.Businesses are holding the line on hiring and spending plans because of uncertainty about the economy. hold the lineTo firmly uphold a certain position. You can try to sway me all you want, but I'm holding the line—curfew is 10 PM. hold the line (at someone or something)Fig. not to exceed a certain limit regarding someone or something. Having your wife on the payroll is one thing, but no one else from the family—I will hold the line at her. We have to hold the line at this kind of expenditure. Okay, we'll hold the line. hold the lineMaintain the existing position or state of affairs. For example, We'll have to hold the line on spending until our profits rise. This term alludes to former military tactics, in which a line of troops was supposed to prevent an enemy breakthrough. Eventually, it was transferred to civilian enterprises. [Mid-1900s] hold the line1 not yield to the pressure of a difficult situation. 2 maintain a telephone connection during a break in the conversation.Sense 1 is a military metaphor, from the idea of a line of soldiers withstanding an attack without moving from their positions. 1 1980 Shirley Hazzard The Transit of Venus But if we made one exception we would naturally be in no position to hold the line on similar cases. hold the line To maintain the existing position or state of affairs: had to hold the line on salary increases. |
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