This is the 2069th most frequent Chinese word.
保住
To preserve, maintain, or retain.
保住 here means 'to retain or to hold onto firmly,' referring to keeping the job despite challenges.
他在最后一刻努力保住了这份工作。
He managed to retain this job at the last moment.
保住 in this sentence signifies 'to preserve or maintain,' indicating striving to maintain a leading position.
比赛中,他竭尽全力总算保住了自己的领先位置。
During the competition, he tried his best and finally preserved his leading position.
保住 here implies 'to safeguard or protect,' in terms of protecting the reputation from potential damage.