hold the floor

present singular third person holds the floor · participle present holding the floor · participle past held the floor · past held the floor

1. idiomaticTo 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.

   ... floor of the Senate under which it is possible for a Senator to take the floor, and then an understanding be reached that he will hold the floor over the night recess and have the floor at the beginning of the next day's session.

   1945, United States. Congress, Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress, page 8124

   1 more example

   23 presiding officer to recognize first the majority leader when no other Senator holds the floor and the majority leader seeks recognition . This precedent is the structural basis for the majority leader's capacity to propose unanimous[…]

   2004, Richard G. Forgette, Richard Forgette, Congress, Parties, & Puzzles: Politics as a Team Sport, Peter Lang, →ISBN, page 139