stick to one's guns

present singular third person sticks to one's guns · participle present sticking to one's guns · participle past stuck to one's guns · past stuck to one's guns · alternative stick by one's guns

1. datedgovernmentOf a gunner, to persist in faithfully attending to cannons while under fire.

   Capitan Beaulieu-de-Long and his first lieutenant were both killed, several guns dismounted, and many of the [French frigate] crew killed and wounded. . . . Nevertheless the French stuck bravely to their guns, while the flame of the cannonade illuminated the scene beneath the canopy of smoke.

   1970, James Henderson, The Frigates, an account of the lesser warships of the wars from 1793 to 1815, London: Wordsworth, page 73

2. broadlyfigurativelyTo maintain one’s position or viewpoint when faced with opposition.

   Ronald had stuck to his guns and refused me to the last.

   1898, Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Quiller-Couch, chapter 29, in St. Ives

   3 more examples

   "I intend to marry, of course," replied Tuppence. "That is, if"—she paused, knew a momentary longing to draw back, and then stuck to her guns bravely—"I can find some one rich enough to make it worth my while."

   1922, Agatha Christie, chapter 15, in The Secret Adversary

   The President . . . stuck to his guns on that, not repeating any of his recent admissions that there had been "miscalculations" in planning for the war.

   2004 September 3, Mitch Frank, “Bush Finds His Agenda”, in Time, retrieved 19 Sep 2015

   Sarri has been questioned for his decision to use Jorginho as the hub of his team while pushing Kante into a more advanced role out on the right - why have the player many regard as the finest holding midfield player in world football and not utilise him there? Sarri has stuck to his guns and this was a game - and performance by Kante - that added significant weight to his argument.

   2018 December 8, Phil McNulty, “Chelsesa 2 - 0 Manchester City”, in BBC Sport