When someone says they "stayed pat," they mean they didn't make any changes or adjustments. Some synonyms for "stayed pat" include "remained unchanged," "stayed the same," "held steady," "maintained the status quo," "kept things as they were," and "didn't budge." Another way to say someone "stayed pat" might be to say they "didn't rock the boat," "refused to alter course," or "held firm." Each of these phrases conveys a similar message: the person in question did not make any major decisions or changes, and instead chose to maintain their current course.