hold the floor
Dominate the discussion
To hold the floor is to speak at length in a formal setting while others listen—in a meeting, legislature, or debate.
The floor is the right to speak; holding it means maintaining that right, often implying the speaker is going on at some length: Senator Thompson held the floor for three hours.
Someone who has the floor is currently recognized to speak.
- orateSpeak formally, often pompously
- public speakingAddressing a live audience
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- talk outResolve through conversation
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
argumentation · monologue · dominance · leadership · grandstand · discourse · eloquence · monopolize · rhetoric · audience · rebuttal · defers · persuasion · charisma · declaim · influence · engagement · interruption
hold the floorlisten
Perceive sound attentively
remain silent · be silent · hold one's tongue · keep quiet · bite one's tongue
hold the floorgive way
Collapse or relent
defer · step aside · turn it over · step back · hand over
hold, floor, holds, holding, holder, holders, holdings, floors, floored