VOA词汇掌故2023--'Holding Down the Fort' Is a Big Job

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

A fort¹ is a place of protection. It is a fortified² structure with strong walls and doors, complex locks, barriers, and other security features. It is used as a defense³. It is a place often protected by soldiers and occupied by officials. Someone always is in charge or responsible for a fort.

And that is where our expression comes in.

If someone asked you to hold down the fort, you are responsible for a place while those who supervise⁴ it are away. In other words, you are in charge! You are the chief!

For example, once a friend and I were at my house preparing for a party. But then I got an emergency call from my brother who needed a ride. So, my friend held down the fort at home and welcomed party guests while I helped my brother.

Sometimes we just say hold the fort. This also means staying behind to take care of things. Again, whoever is holding the fort is in charge. They are responsible for what happens. And they may be responsible for the safety of others.

For example:

Marion is the most responsible of the group. So we left her at the house to hold the fort.

There is another way we use the word "fort" in an expression.

In the American state of Kentucky, there is a famous fort – Fort Knox. Fort Knox is a protected place in the United States. Why is it protected? Fort Knox is a place where lots of gold is kept.

Needless⁵ to say, it is heavily guarded. So, when we want to describe a place that is hard to get into, we can compare it to Fort Knox. A place that is like Fort Knox is inaccessible⁶ usually because it is locked or heavily guarded. We can also say a place is as safe or as secure as Fort Knox.

Now, let's hear these two expressions used by two friends.

A: Hi, Sam! What brings you to my place?

B: Well, Maxine is holding down the fort at home. So, I thought I'd stop by to see if you want to hang out.

A: Sure! How about a walk around the neighborhood? I feel like I've been sitting all day.

B: Sound good. Let's walk past that construction project down the street.

A: They've been working on that house for months. I'm curious about the renovations.

B: Maybe we can sneak⁸ into the place and look in the windows.

A: That's a really bad idea. The property is locked up tighter than Fort Knox and probably has many security cameras. If you sneak in ... you're on your own.

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ...

Words in This Story

fortified – adj. made stronger or more secure

barrier – n. something material that blocks or is intended to block passage

inaccessible – adj. not accessible

construction – n. something built or put together

renovate⁹ – v. to make like new again : put in good condition: renovation⁷ – n. the act of making new again

sneak – v. to go about in a sly or secret manner

1 fort   

n.要塞，堡垒，碉堡

参考例句：

• The fort can not be defended against an air attack.这座要塞遭到空袭时无法防御。
• No one can get into the fort without a pass.没有通行证，任何人不得进入要塞。

2 fortified   

adj. 加强的

参考例句：

• He fortified himself against the cold with a hot drink. 他喝了一杯热饮御寒。
• The enemy drew back into a few fortified points. 敌人收缩到几个据点里。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 supervise   

v.监督，管理，指导

参考例句：

• We must supervise and speed up the fulfilment of assigned tasks.已经布置了的工作，应当认真督促检查。
• Tomorrow he will supervise all the pupils taking the English examination.明天全体学生考英语，他将担任监考。

5 needless   

adj.不必，无须，不必要的，无用的

参考例句：

• Needless to say,I agree.无须说，我是同意的。
• It is needless to add that you are in want of a second.你需要一个助手，那是不必说的。

6 inaccessible   

adj.达不到的，难接近的

参考例句：

• This novel seems to me among the most inaccessible.这本书对我来说是最难懂的小说之一。
• The top of Mount Everest is the most inaccessible place in the world.珠穆朗玛峰是世界上最难到达的地方。

7 renovation   

n.革新，整修

参考例句：

• The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。
• The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。

8 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

9 renovate   

vt.更新，革新，刷新

参考例句：

• The couple spent thousands renovating the house.这对夫妇花了几千元来翻新房子。
• They are going to renovate the old furniture.他们准备将旧家具整修一番。