hold/hang on a minute
idiom
informal
1
—used to tell someone to wait or to stop for a brief time
"Aren't you finished yet?" "Hold on a minute. I'm almost done."
Hang on a minute—I didn't hear you. Could you repeat what you said?
2
—used to express surprise or disbelief
Hold on a minute! That's not what you said yesterday!
Examples of hold/hang on a minute in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But hang on a minute, she’s got these boys under her thumb.
—
Clover Hope, ELLE, 23 Aug. 2023
But Chicago native Lucas Kwan Peterson says hold on a minute.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2022
Well, but, but, but, but hold on a minute too, cuz O’Malley Sweeney and Shean are the three that have been really the most vocal about building on a toxic site.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Clover Hope, ELLE, 23 Aug. 2023
But Chicago native Lucas Kwan Peterson says hold on a minute.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2022
Well, but, but, but, but hold on a minute too, cuz O’Malley Sweeney and Shean are the three that have been really the most vocal about building on a toxic site.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near hold/hang on a minute
Cite this Entry
“Hold/hang on a minute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%2Fhang%20on%20a%20minute. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share