fort

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. The entire editorial department left the office early for their Christmas celebration, leaving just a couple of interns to man the fort for the rest of the day.

To be inaccessible, usually because the item or place in question is locked or guarded. Fort Knox is a military site in Kentucky where stores of gold are kept. The kids are home by themselves, but don't worry, the house is like Fort Knox with all the security cameras. I can't get into the safe, it's like Fort Knox!

Fig. to take care of a place while someone who is usually there is gone, such as a store or one's home. (From western movies.) I'm going next door to visit Mrs. Jones. You stay here and hold the fort. You should open the store at eight o'clock and hold the fort until I get there at ten.

if a building or an area is like Fort Knox, it is very difficult to enter or leave it because it is so well protected Our house is like Fort Knox with all these extra security locks.

to be left in charge of a situation or place while someone is away Someone had to stay at home and hold the fort while my mother was out.

Assume responsibility, especially in another's absence; also, maintain a secure position. For example, Harry did a good job of holding the fort until his boss recovered, or Can you hold the fort in the kitchen? 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."