# hold the fort

**Pronunciation:** /hoʊld ðə fɔːrt/ · HOLD-thuh-FORT

**Part of speech:** idiomatic verb phrase

## Meaning

Take responsibility for a place or situation temporarily while the person in charge is away.

## Examples

- I need to run an errand, so please hold the fort while I am gone.
- The senior partners left the junior associates to hold the fort over the weekend.
- While the rest of the team was at the conference, Sarah stayed behind to hold the fort at the office.

## Synonyms

- manage — General term for handling tasks or people.
- supervise — Focuses on overseeing work or people.
- take charge — Emphasizes assuming control or leadership.
- mind the store — A very similar idiom, often used in retail or small business contexts.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/hold%20the%20fort

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