hold off

verb

held off; holding off; holds off

transitive verb

1

: to block from an objective : delay

2

: to defer action on : postpone

hold off a decision

3

: to fight to a standoff : withstand

intransitive verb

: to defer or temporarily stop doing something

Synonyms

• defer
• delay
• hold over
• hold up
• lay over
• postpone
• put off
• put over
• remit
• shelve

Examples of hold off in a Sentence

we held off on accepting the invitation in the hopes that something better would come along

Recent Examples on the Web

Boeing’s sales have fallen sharply in the wake of the Alaska Air incident, as even airlines eager to expand their fleets hold off on purchases while Boeing works through a myriad of problems. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 10 July 2024

The prior examples of his goofs and verbal stumbles have been re-aired and reexamined, giving ammo to the rebels, but the old war horse, who won his first Senate election at age 29 in 1972, still has the fight in him to hold off fellow Democrats. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024

Biden may yet succeed in holding off that rebellion. —Matt Bai, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

The 31-year-old driver for Hendrick Motorsports snapped an 80-race winless streak on Sunday in downtown Chicago, taking the lead before the final stage and holding off the field to return to victory lane for the first time in two years. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

hold off

verb

1

: to keep away : withstand

held off the attack

2

: postpone, delay

decided to hold off on the decision

will hold off production for the summer