phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Hold the Fort!

Posted by ESC on December 08, 2003

In Reply to: Hold the Fort! posted by Sax on December 08, 2003

: Can you please help me figure out what this means and how it came about? Thank you - SAx

From Merriam-Webster online:

HOLD -- 9 a : to maintain occupation, control, or defense of. The troops held the ridge.; also : to resist the offensive efforts or advance of. Held the opposing team to just two points.
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

Origin: white settlers and soldiers in the Old West fighting to keep Indians from overwhelming them and taking over the fort.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.