man the barricades
To launch or participate in a protest against some group, organization, or policy one disagrees with. People around the country are manning the barricades following the president's most recent policy announcement. I would be willing to man the barricades if some giant corporation ever tried to buy out our local businesses.
man the fort
To mind or take charge of a location during the time in which it is unattended by another. Don't worry, honey, I'll man the fort at home until you get back from the grocery store. The entire editorial department left the office early for their Christmas celebration, leaving just a couple of interns to man the fort for the rest of the day.
man the lifeboats
1. To prepare to occupy and operate the lifeboats on a ship, typically when the ship is in grave danger and everyone on board must evacuate. The collision with the rocks has torn a hole in the hull. Man the lifeboats! At the captain's word, we manned the lifeboats and tried to get as many people as possible off the ship before it sank.
2. By extension, to prepare to abandon some entity or endeavor due to a catastrophic failure. The company suffered record losses last quarter, but analysts are telling investors that it is not yet time to man the lifeboats.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.