hold the fort
hold the fort {v. phr.}
1. To defend a fort successfully; fight off attackers.
The little group held the fort for days until help came.
2. {informal}
To keep a position against opposing forces.
Friends of civil liberties held the fort during a long debate.
3. {informal} to keep service or operations going
It was Christmas Eve, and a few workers held the fort in the office.
Mother and Father went out and told the children to hold the fort.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms