Question

Which of the given options best describes the meaning of the idiom in quotes in the given sentence?
I will have to take a week’s leave - will you ‘hold the fort’ for me?
a. stand guard in my absence
b. handle my responsibility in my absence
c. explain my absence
d. lie on my behalf

Answer 1

Hint: Identify the context of the idiom and choose the most relevant option. Idioms are predetermined, and they cannot be edited. Try to understand the context of the given sentence and choose the correct option accordingly.

Complete answer: An idiom is a collection of words made popular by usage as having a meaning not understood from those of each word. They are usually metaphorical and are not to be taken in the literal sense. For example, the idiom ‘call it a day’ refers to ‘to get it over with’. The idiom ‘hold the fort’ refers to ‘take responsibility for a situation while another person is temporarily absent’. This is a very frequently used idiom in the English language. A one-word substitute for this phrase could be ‘deputise’.
Now, we know the meaning and usage of the given idiom. Let’s look at the available options-
a. stand guard in my absence - This phrase refers to safeguarding something while the person is not there, so this has a completely different meaning to the given idiom. They do not have the same meaning. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b. handle my responsibility in my absence - This phrase refers to taking care and doing the person’s work while they are not present, This has the same meaning as the given idiom. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
c. explain my absence - This phrase refers to explaining why the person is not present, so this has a completely different meaning to the given idiom. They do not have the same meaning. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
d. lie on my behalf - This phrase refers to telling a lie to protect another person, so this has a completely different meaning to the given idiom. They do not have the same meaning. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note: Idioms are different from metaphors and analogies because idioms aren’t about comparison. They are also different from proverbs. Proverbs are messages or truths, and they often offer advice, such as "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." That proverb’s meaning is clear. The meanings of idioms are less literal or easy to deduce.