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If you stand pat in draw poker you're betting on the cards in your hand being better than any you're likely to draw. It didn't take long for stand pat to move from the poker table, where it first appeared in the late 1800s, to the realm of politics; by the early 20th century, to stand pat was to oppose any change in U.S. tariff policy. The term continues to be used mainly in U.S. English, where it's applied to everything from a coach's decision not to change out players during a game to a homeowner's decision not to refinance. The nouns standpatter ("one who resists or opposes change") and standpattism ("resistance to change" or "reluctance to take positive action") are also used, although generally only in political contexts.
Synonyms
Examples of standpat in a Sentence
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
The Bulls front office has zero plans to stand pat at the trade deadline, a crucial mindset shift for an organization that clung to its players for the last three years.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
Under general manager Lou Lamoriello, the Islanders have either been buyers at the deadline or stood pat despite having opportunities to retool.
—Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Fed funds futures trading suggests a high likelihood that central bank policymakers will stand pat on rates at their meeting later this month.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Standpat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standpat. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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stand pat
verb
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