stand pat


Definition of stand pat

  1. intransitive verb
  2. 1 :  to play one's hand as dealt in draw poker without drawing

  3. 2 :  to oppose or resist change


play \ˈstan(d)-ˌpa-tər, -ˈpa-tər\ noun


play \-ˌpa-ˌti-zəm\ noun

Did You Know?

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.

Origin and Etymology of stand pat


First Known Use: 1882

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