Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [hohld stressed th ee fawrt, fohrt]
- /hoʊld stressed ði fɔrt, foʊrt/
- /həʊld ðə fɔːt/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hohld stressed th ee fawrt, fohrt]
- /hoʊld stressed ði fɔrt, foʊrt/
Definitions of hold the fort words
- noun hold the fort a strong or fortified place occupied by troops and usually surrounded by walls, ditches, and other defensive works; a fortress; fortification. 1
- noun hold the fort any permanent army post. 1
- noun hold the fort (formerly) a trading post. 1
- idioms hold the fort hold the fort, to defend one's position against attack or criticism. to maintain the existing state of affairs. 1
- verbal expression hold the fort be in charge temporarily 1
- noun hold the fort to maintain or guard something temporarily 0
Information block about the term
Origin of hold the fort
First appearance:
before 1550 One of the 31% oldest English words
1550-60; < Middle French, noun use of adj. fort strong < Latin fortis
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Hold the fort
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
hold the fort popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 95% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
hold the fort usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for hold the fort
verb hold the fort
- hover — to hang fluttering or suspended in the air: The helicopter hovered over the building.
- go on — to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
- linger — to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave: We lingered awhile after the party.
- stop — to cease from, leave off, or discontinue: to stop running.
- live — to have life, as an organism; be alive; be capable of vital functions: all things that live.
adj hold the fort
- firm — not soft or yielding when pressed; comparatively solid, hard, stiff, or rigid: firm ground; firm texture.
- obstinate — firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty.
- reserved — kept in reserve; forming a reserve: a reserve fund; a reserve supply.
- crisp — Food that is crisp is pleasantly hard, or has a pleasantly hard surface.
- aloof — Someone who is aloof is not very friendly and does not like to spend time with other people.
Antonyms for hold the fort
verb hold the fort
- cease — If something ceases, it stops happening or existing.
- discontinue — to put an end to; stop; terminate: to discontinue nuclear testing.
- hurry — to move, proceed, or act with haste (often followed by up): Hurry, or we'll be late. Hurry up, it's starting to rain.
- lie — Jonas, 1880–1940, U.S. painter, born in Norway.
- go — to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
adj hold the fort
- bending — to force (an object, especially a long or thin one) from a straight form into a curved or angular one, or from a curved or angular form into some different form: to bend an iron rod into a hoop.
- pliable — easily bent; flexible; supple: pliable leather.
- flexible — capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent: a flexible ruler.
- soft — yielding readily to touch or pressure; easily penetrated, divided, or changed in shape; not hard or stiff: a soft pillow.
- yielding — inclined to give in; submissive; compliant: a timid, yielding man.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with ho
- Words starting with hol
- Words starting with hold
- Words starting with holdt
- Words starting with holdth
- Words starting with holdthe
- Words starting with holdthef
- Words starting with holdthefo
- Words starting with holdthefor
- Words starting with holdthefort