The idiom ‘stick to your guns’ means to not change your opinion or decision, even when other people disagree with you or try to change your mind. It is usually used for something you don’t want to change because you think it’s important.
Here are some examples:
My parents wanted me to be a doctor, but I stuck to my guns and became an artist.
Peter had an argument with his teacher because they didn’t agree, but he stuck to his guns and didn’t change his opinion.
Everyone said Jen shouldn’t travel alone, but she stuck to her guns and went on the trip by herself.
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Notice this idiom always uses the preposition ‘to’, and the noun ‘guns’ is always plural. Also notice the subject and the verb tense can be changed.
CORRECT: stick to my guns
CORRECT: stuck to her guns
INCORRECT: stick to your gun
INCORRECT: stick your guns
So where does this idiom come from? Long ago, if soldiers were told to stay with their guns in a battle, it meant they should not run away, even when things got dangerous. Over time, the expression started to mean not giving up your or opinion or decision in everyday life.
When is a time you stuck to your guns and didn’t change your mind?
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Extra tip! Be careful not to confuse this idiom with ‘jump the gun’ which means to start doing something too soon without thinking about it (see link below for more about using ‘jump the gun’). |
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