Hold down the fort

Meaning

Take care of responsibilities while someone else is away.

Usage

Used to request temporary coverage or support.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Military and colonial guards maintaining posts when commanders left.

Used widely since the 1800s in both military and civilian contexts.