hold down the fort
phrase
US
: to be in charge of a place while the person who is usually in charge is away
You can stay here and hold down the fort while I go to the store.
Cite this Entry
“Hold down the fort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20down%20the%20fort. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
