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.”

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Example Sentences

“If we don’t hold the fort down, there will be nothing to come back to,” Hearring said.

From Los Angeles Times

"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

Feyereisen to hold the fort in the 10th, and he can’t in loss to Miami.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Huge jets with their massive loads of retardant can only fly in daylight, Karpus said, so for a long, agonizing stretch Friday night, as the fire chewed its way over Mandeville Canyon, threatening Encino and Brentwood, a squadron of eight helicopters worked in a desperate effort to hold the fort until the cavalry could arrive at dawn.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• continue
• endure
• go on
• hover
• last
• linger
• live
• persist
• prevail
• stand
• stop
• survive
• wait