# hold the floor

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hold-the-floor
Updated: 2026-08-10

## 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

- The professor likes to hold the floor for an hour.
- After the meeting started, the manager held the floor for twenty minutes to explain the new company policy.
- Despite the growing impatience of the audience, the keynote speaker continued to hold the floor, detailing every minor aspect of his research project.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.