hold the front

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold the front" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is asked to maintain a position or keep watch at the front line or entrance of a place. Example: "While the rest of the team goes to gather supplies, I need you to hold the front and keep an eye out for any approaching threats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hold the front page.

Independent

Do not, however, hold the front page.

Independent

England beat Spain: hold the front page!

The Guardian - Sport

Does Fox hold the front page?

The Guardian - Opinion

So, should we hold the front page?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For what should we hold the front page?

The New Yorker

Excuse me if I don't hold the front page.

The Telegraph

"Don't hold the front page," commented one tweeter.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The rebels and the regime are currently locked in a particularly sticky, horrendously bloody stalemate; the rebels can hold the front-lines but find it almost impossible to advance because they don't have the weapons and ammunition to make a push.

Vice

As one-line pitches go, it's hardly hold-the-front-page.

The Guardian - Music

And, to be fair, Cult Band From Yesteryear Who Split Then Reformed Gets Reissue Treatment By Music Industry Circling The Drain And Desperate For One Last Pay Cheque is hardly hold-the-front-page news.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold the front" sparingly and primarily in contexts related to journalism or announcements of significant news to maintain its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "hold the front" when the news or information being conveyed isn't particularly significant or urgent. This can diminish the phrase's impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold the front" functions as an idiomatic expression, predominantly used to signal the imminence of significant news or information. Ludwig identifies this expression in news reporting and informal contexts, indicating a call for immediate attention.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold the front" is an idiomatic expression primarily used to signal urgent or breaking news, commonly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, while grammatically correct, it is relatively rare. When writing, it’s best to reserve this expression for situations where there is a genuine need to convey urgency or significance, avoiding overuse in less important contexts. Alternatives such as "stop the press" or "await breaking developments" might be more appropriate in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop the press

Similar idiomatic expression indicating urgency in news dissemination, though more commonly used.

stand by for immediate updates

Highlights anticipation of immediate events, distancing itself from immediate action.

await breaking developments

Highlights anticipation of significant events, distancing itself from immediate action.

wait for important news

Indicates a pause in activity to await significant information, shifting from journalistic context to a broader application.

pause for an important announcement

Suggests a temporary halt in proceedings for a significant piece of news, but not necessarily a journalistic one.

wait for further details

Highlights anticipation of more information, distancing itself from immediate action.

stay put at the front

Emphasizes maintaining a physical position, differing from the informational urgency of the original phrase.

keep the position secure

Focuses on securing a location, changing from an information based context to a military type context.

delay the release

Implies postponing publication or distribution, moving away from the immediacy of reporting.

postpone the article

Suggests delaying a written piece, but with no connotation of urgency as the original query.

FAQs

What does "hold the front" mean?

It is an idiomatic expression, primarily used in journalism, signaling that important or breaking news is about to be announced, warranting a halt in current activities to prioritize its dissemination.

When is it appropriate to use "hold the front"?

Use it when you want to create a sense of urgency and importance around an announcement, especially in contexts related to news, media, or significant updates.

Are there alternatives to "hold the front"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stop the press", "stand by for immediate updates", or "await breaking developments".

Is "hold the front" formal or informal?

It leans towards informal, though it can be used in neutral contexts. Avoid it in highly formal or academic writing. In these settings you might want to use alternatives such as "await breaking developments".