hold the field—
1. keep one’s position against attack; remain undefeated:
- American troops held the field but it was not a clear-cut victory.
2. be not superseded or displaced:
- Petroleum spirit still holds the field as a propelling force, both in the cars exhibited here and in those seen in London streets.
keep the field —(dated) keep the military campaign open; continue the fight:
- Hence the name [campaign] … was also applied, now to the season or time during which the army kept the field.