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Synonyms

hold the fort

Idioms  

  1. Assume responsibility, especially in another's absence; also, maintain a secure position. For example, Harry did a good job of holding the fort until his boss recovered, or Can you hold the fort in the kitchen? This expression has been traced to an order given by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1864, which was repeated as “Hold the fort [against the enemy at Allatoona] at all costs, for I am coming.”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"And is that possible for next week? I genuinely do not know. My job was to come in and hold the fort, and the minute that someone is appointed, I will step aside."

From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025

There’s been a lot of reaction to Episode 2, where we see Tommy hold the fort and Joel die.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2025

Could he hold the fort while a wider search goes on?

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2024

“We’ve got to hold the fort down until he’s ready.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2022

They are leaving tomorrow to go to Belgium, and we’re going back to Kilanga to hold the fort until another family can come.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.