Where did the expression holding down the fort come from?

Where did the expression holding down the fort come from?

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.”

What can I say instead of holding down the fort?

What is another word for hold the fort?

stay remain
hang on hang out
keep on stay out
put down roots remain behind
stay behind live

What does it mean to hold up the fort?

to have responsibility for something while someone else is absent: I’m leaving my husband to hold the fort while I’m away.

Is hold down the fort an idiom?

Meanwhile, another idiom, “hold down the fort,” is also fraught with meanings that may not initially come to mind. Usually, the phrase refers to watching your home or workplace while someone is away. Historically, though, it alludes to guarding against attacking Native Americans.

What does the idiom hold down mean?

To limit or restrict someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between “hold” and “back.” Your fears are really holding you down in life. Your relationship is so dysfunctional, though. You guys are really holding each other down.

What does man the fort mean?

(idiomatic) To take care of a place or situation in another’s absence.

What does holding down the house mean?

Bringing Down the House Meaning Definition: To perform and receive great acclaim for your performance. This phrase, or its variant bring down the house, means that you have performed extremely well and have received a favorable reaction from an audience.

What is the meaning of hold down a job?

to manage to keep a job for a period of time.

What does it mean when you can’t hold someone down?

To prevent someone or something from advancing: Once that team gets going, you can’t hold them down. Don’t hold down everyone else just because you’re tired.

How do you hold the fort?

If you hold the fort for someone or if you hold down the fort, you take care of things for them while they are somewhere else or are busy doing something else. His business partner is holding the fort while he is away.

What fort means?

a strong or fortified place
Definition of fort 1 : a strong or fortified place especially : a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification. 2 : a permanent army post —often used in place names.

Can you hold the fort?

What does minding the fort mean?

To mind or take charge of a location during the time in which it is unattended by another. Don’t worry, honey, I’ll man the fort at home until you get back from the grocery store.

How are you holding it down meaning?

To prevent someone or something from advancing: Once that team gets going, you can’t hold them down.

How do you hold down a job?

Top 10 Tips for Keeping Your Job

  1. Try to Make the Job Work. Is there anything you could be doing differently to make the job work?
  2. Work Hard.
  3. Be On Time.
  4. Be a Team Player.
  5. Be Flexible.
  6. Don’t Complain.
  7. Offer to Help.
  8. Keep Social Media and Work Separate.

What does holding it down mean slang?

To maintain or take care of something or someone. Example sentence: “I love my lil shorty because she hold it down. “

What does the slang hold you down mean?

Who can hold the fort?

If you hold the fort for someone, or, in American English, if you hold down the fort, you look after things for them while they are somewhere else or are busy doing something else. His business partner is holding the fort while he is away.

What is the synonym of fort?

1. fortress, castle, citadel, blockhouse, burg, keep, tower, donjon, turret. stronghold, redoubt, fortification, bastion. fastness.

What does hold down the fort mean?

: 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. “Hold down the fort.”

Are common phrases like’hold down the fort’offensive?

” State Department: ‘Hold down the fort,’ other common phrases could be offensive “, Fox News 8/31/2012: Watch your mouth — everyday phrases like “hold down the fort” and “rule of thumb” are potentially offensive bombshells.

Where did the phrase hold the fort come from?

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.” See also: fort, hold The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust.

Is’hold down the fort’an offensive phrase?

Watch your mouth — everyday phrases like “hold down the fort” and “rule of thumb” are potentially offensive bombshells. At least according to the State Department. Chief Diversity Officer John Robinson penned a column in the department’s latest edition of ” State Magazine ” advising readers on some rather obscure Ps and Qs.

  • September 16, 2022