Hold Down the Fort...

Hold the Fort Down or is it Hold the Fort...

"Hold the Fort [down] while I go next door for a few minutes."
"Hold down the fort while I go next door for a few minutes."

What exactly does "holding the fort"mean anyway? Responsible for watching over a place.

So how can you temporarily watch over a place, down? If the word "down" is added, does it mean we are asking for more help, or requesting that he, she do a better job of watching the place?

The comment dates as far back as the Civil War, where when the Fort was being attacked, soldiers were were told to "Hold the Fort!" Which really meant, "don't surrender," "fight to the end," and so on.

Of course, if you are a music rapper, it might mean to be a representative of your roots. "If so hold the fort down and represent to the fullest" -- Nas (One Love [1994]).
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