A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

hold the field • keep the field
hold the field —
1
. keep one’s position against attack; remain
undefeated: American troops held the field but it was not a
clear-cut victory. 2. be not superseded or displaced: Petroleum
spirit still holds the field as a propelling force, both in the cars
exhibited here and in those seen in London streets.
keep the field —(dated) keep the military campaign open;
continue the fight: Hence the name [campaign] … was also
applied, now to the season or time during which the army
kept the field.
hold the line against someone • hold the line at
someone
hold the line against someone —take a firm opposing stand
with regard to smb.: You’ve been holding the line against those
who have sought to legislate the Second Amendment into
oblivion.
hold the line at someone —preclude a person from being
invited or admitted to a place: The Browns and the Smiths
could be invited, but I think we ought to hold the line at the
Browns.
hold up • keep up
hold up —
1
. (of a structure, etc.) stay erect; remain in good
condition: This building holds up well despite its age. 2. (of
weather, supplies, etc.) continue; last: Will the water supply
hold up through the summer? 3. remain in control of oneself:
How does he hold up under such a responsibility?
keep up —
1
. not drown: The sailors managed to keep up for
several hours and were eventually picked up by a lifeboat. 2.
(of spirits, morale, etc.) remain high: His courage kept up in
the face of danger. 3. = hold up 2: Do you think this fine
weather will keep up for a couple of weeks? 4. stay in touch:
I’m afraid we haven’t kept up at all since she went abroad. 5.
= hold up 3: But for her courage, I never could have kept up
through all this terrible trial. 6. not fall behind: If the children
can keep up, we will take them with us when we hike into
town.