ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hold the floor

idiom
Meaning

To give a speech at a gathering of people, particularly one that lasts for a long time and is the focus of attention in the room.


Examples
SIMPLE

The professor likes to hold the floor for an hour.

CONTEXTUAL

After the meeting started, the manager held the floor for twenty minutes to explain the new company policy.

COMPLEX

Despite the growing impatience of the audience, the keynote speaker continued to hold the floor, detailing every minor aspect of his research project.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    apron-string hold

    An estate held by a man during his wife's life.

  2. 02

    buy and hold

    A passive investment strategy where an investor purchases an asset and retains it for many years, rather than trading it frequently.

  3. 03

    don't hold your breath

    Don't wait. Said cynically to suggest that what has just been mentioned is unlikely to happen soon or at all.

  4. 04

    floor it

    To depress the accelerator to the maximum extent.

  5. 05

    floor one could eat off

    An extremely clean floor.

  6. 06

    ground floor

    The initial stage of a project.

  7. 07

    have the floor

    To have permission or time to speak, especially in a formal situation.

  8. 08

    hold a grudge

    To stay angry (at someone or something).

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