What is the definition of the phrase hold the fort down?

When someone is told to “Hold the fort down” it’s used to mean that the person should handle any problems that arise and keep things running smoothly.


The phrase “hold the fort down” is commonly used in corporate America – especially by bosses who are leaving the office for some time and have to assign someone to be in charge while they are out of the office.

Hold the fort down origin

The origin of the phrase comes from times when people actually had forts to defend from attack by enemies, hence the idiom “hold the fort down”.

Hold the fort down in a sentence

"Bob will hold the fort down and handle everything 
while I am gone on vacation."

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