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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
Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
The Wolverines decided to stand pat with Alex Orji, Jack Tuttle and Davis Warren and let the competition carry into preseason camp.
—Austin Meek, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
The Chargers appeared to be in a good position to acquire extra picks and trade down, but decided to stand pat.
—Joe Reedy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2024
Mailbag Meet the former Vikings and Packers visionary known as the grandfather of NFL analytics
Packers at the trade deadline: Will Green Bay stand pat or is a deal possible?
—New York Times, 30 Oct. 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near standpat
Cite this Entry
“Standpat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standpat. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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stand pat
verb
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