Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

Hold the fort

To take responsibility for a situation temporarily

The most appropriate meaning of the idiom "hold the fort" is to take responsibility for a situation temporarily.

The other options are incorrect.

• To stop talking about something does not mean to take responsibility for a situation temporarily. Stopping talking about something means to keep quiet about it.
• To avoid being found guilty of a crime does not mean to take responsibility for a situation temporarily. Avoiding being found guilty of a crime means to try not to be punished for a crime that you have committed.
• To finish something before time does not mean to take responsibility for a situation temporarily. Finishing something before time means to complete it earlier than expected.

The idiom "hold the fort" comes from the idea of a military commander leaving their position to go on a mission, and asking their subordinates to "hold the fort" in their absence. In the same way, to hold the fort means to take responsibility for a situation temporarily, while someone else is away. For example, you might say that you are holding the fort at work while your boss is on vacation.