hold off
verb
held off; holding off; holds off
1
: to block from an objective : delay
2
: to defer action on : postpone
hold off a decision
3
: to fight to a standoff : withstand
: to defer or temporarily stop doing something
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
On Tuesday, a handful of states held off-year elections, and Democrats enjoyed a good night, comfortably winning governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Mathews noted that a a larger percentage of consumers are holding off until the Thanksgiving weekend/Black Friday sales, which reflects a shopper who’s looking for deals.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
San Dieguito Union High School District board member Rimga Viskanta, a district business administrator and a faculty association leader all urged the council to hold off on making changes.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
The Golden State Warriors managed to hold off Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, earning a 118–107 victory despite Jimmy Butler leaving early with an injury and Stephen Curry battling an illness.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold off
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Editorial, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Mathews noted that a a larger percentage of consumers are holding off until the Thanksgiving weekend/Black Friday sales, which reflects a shopper who’s looking for deals.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
San Dieguito Union High School District board member Rimga Viskanta, a district business administrator and a faculty association leader all urged the council to hold off on making changes.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
The Golden State Warriors managed to hold off Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, earning a 118–107 victory despite Jimmy Butler leaving early with an injury and Stephen Curry battling an illness.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Cite this Entry
“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20off. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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