hold court

Idioms  

1. Be surrounded by and command the attention of admirers, subordinates, or hangers-on. For example, After a match Judy generally held court in the locker room. This expression alludes to royalty convening courtiers as well as a judge convening a court of law.

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Example Sentences

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hold court

Bernard, a former associate director of competitor intelligence at General Motors, said the vehicle could hold court with domestic carmakers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026

There is a group of Black men who hold court, convening their own salon of sorts, outside of a coffee shop I walk by almost every day.

From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2024

Although an array of satellite fairs and pop-up shows engulf the entire city, the priciest sales are still brokered at the convention center, where a who’s who of selected dealers hold court.

From New York Times ● Nov. 30, 2024

The place had been established in 1991 by Russian immigrant, nuclear physicist and Washington Times columnist Ed Lozansky, who created it as a private club where Russians in and out of Washington could hold court.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 27, 2023

Daenerys Targaryen had preferred to hold court from a bench of polished ebony, smooth and simple, covered with the cushions that Ser Barristan had found to make her more comfortable.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin