Hold the fort Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhoʊɫd/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈfɔɹt

HOHLD thuh FORT

UK

hˈəʊld/ /ðə, ði/ /fˈɔːt

HOHLD thuh FAWT

Definition

To take care of things or be in charge temporarily while someone else is away.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal idiom often used in workplaces or casual situations. It is commonly followed by 'while I'm out/away.' 'Hold down the fort' can also be heard, especially in American English.

• Spanish: quedarse a cargo - encargarse (temporalmente)
• Portuguese (BR): segurar o comando - segurar as pontas
• Portuguese (PT): ficar responsável - aguentar o barco
• Chinese (Simplified): 暂时代班 - 坚守岗位
• Chinese (Traditional): 暫時代班 - 堅守崗位
• Hindi: संचालन संभालना (अस्थायी रूप से) - मोर्चा संभालना
• Arabic: تولي المسؤولية مؤقتاً - تثبيت الموقف
• Bengali: ভাগ্য সামলানো - দায়িত্ব পালন করা
• Russian: держать оборону - присмотреть (за чем-то)
• Japanese: 留守を守る - 代わりを務める
• Vietnamese: trông coi - giữ vị trí (tạm thời)
• Korean: 자리를 지키다 - 대신하다
• Turkish: yerine bakmak - işleri idare etmek
• Urdu: ذمہ داری سنبھالنا
• Indonesian: menjaga keadaan - mengambil alih sementara

Example Sentences

Can you hold the fort while I go to lunch?

basic

I will hold the fort until the manager returns.

basic

Please hold the fort for a few minutes.

basic

I need to step out for a call—can you hold the fort here?

natural

Thanks for holding the fort while I was gone.

natural

Don’t worry, I’ll hold the fort until you get back from your appointment.

natural