The Village Idiom

hold one's fire

The idiom "hold one's fire" means to refrain from taking action or making a comment in a situation where it may be expected or appropriate to do so. It is often used in a literal sense to refer to a command to soldiers to stop shooting.

Filed under H

In a sentence

  • The commander ordered his troops to hold their fire until they received further instructions.
  • During the heated debate, the moderator asked everyone to hold their fire and listen to each other's arguments.
  • The detective decided to hold his fire and gather more evidence before making an accusation.

Where it comes from and how it is used

Hold one's peace is another idiom that is closely related to hold one's fire. It is often used interchangeably with hold one's fire to mean the same thing: to refrain from speaking or voicing one's opinion. While hold one's fire emphasizes the metaphorical idea of not taking action, hold one's peace specifically emphasizes the idea of not speaking.

The phrase hold one's peace has biblical origins and is derived from the King James Version of the Bible. It is often used in the context of legal proceedings or ceremonies, where individuals are expected to remain silent or not object to something being said or done. It can also be used in everyday conversations to encourage someone to remain quiet in order to avoid conflict or maintain harmony.

Hold one's tongue is yet another related idiom that carries a similar meaning to both hold one's fire and hold one's peace. When someone is told to hold their tongue, it means that they should refrain from speaking or expressing their thoughts or opinions. This idiom implies a sense of self-control and the ability to keep quiet, even in difficult or frustrating situations.

Hold one's tongue can be used to signify a temporary or voluntary silence, or it can be used as a command or directive from someone in a position of authority. It is often used to advise someone to exercise caution or discretion in their speech, particularly when discussing sensitive or contentious topics.

Lastly, there is the idiom hold the line, which is also connected to hold one's fire. Hold the line is often used in the context of communication or telephone conversations. When someone is told to hold the line, it means that they should stay on the phone and wait for further instructions or information. It is a request for the person to remain connected and not hang up.

Hold the line can also be used more figuratively to mean holding a position or maintaining a stance, particularly in the face of opposition or challenges. It suggests the idea of resilience and perseverance, staying firm and not giving up when faced with difficulties or setbacks.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.