1To stay in place or hold one's ground; to remain without retreating.
敵の攻撃を受けても彼らは踏みとどまり、拠点を守った。
Even under enemy attack they held their ground and defended the base.
寒さの中で踏みとどまり、山小屋まで歩き切った。
They stayed the course in the cold and made it to the mountain hut on foot.
批判があったが、彼女は自分の意見に踏みとどまった。
There was criticism, but she stood by her opinion.
2To refrain from doing something; to decide not to proceed or to stop (an intended action).
一歩踏み出そうとしたが、結局踏みとどまった。
I was about to take a step forward, but in the end I held back.
彼は辞職を考えたが、家族の説得で踏みとどまった。
He considered resigning, but his family's persuasion made him refrain.
投資を続けるか迷ったが、リスクが高いので踏みとどまった。
I hesitated about continuing the investment and refrained because the risk was high.