HOLD THE FORT

v. phr. 1. To defend a fort successfully; fight off attackers. The little group held the fort for days until help came. 2. informal To keep a position against opposing forces. Friends of civil liberties held the fort during a long debate. 3. informal to keep service or operations going It was Christmas Eve, and a few workers held the fort in the office. Mother and Father went out and told the children to hold the fort.