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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Stick to your guns

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Continue with your beliefs or plan even when others disagree.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. I stuck to my guns and chose the course that suited my goals.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Continue with your beliefs or plan even when others disagree.
Show the answer

Stick to your guns — Continue with your beliefs or plan even when others disagree.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Stick to your guns” about your own life.

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Continue with your beliefs or plan even when others disagree.

Compare: I stuck to my guns and chose the course that suited my goals.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this conversational expression about determination under criticism. It can sound admiring or critical depending on whether the persistence seems reasonable.

More examples in context

  • Despite pressure to rush, the organiser stuck to her guns about allowing enough rehearsal time.
  • They are sticking to their guns on keeping admission free.

Usage note

Keep “guns” plural and change the possessive with the subject. The past tense is “stuck”. This is figurative and does not refer to actual weapons in everyday use.

A short conversation

A: Did the criticism make you change your design?
B: I changed the parts that needed work, but I stuck to my guns on the accessible layout.
A: It helps to know which principles matter most.

One more practice question

What does someone do when they stick to their guns about a plan?

A. Drop it immediately because someone objects.
B. Continue with it despite disagreement.

Check your answer

B. The expression describes persistence in a belief or course of action.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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