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
Major hospitality companies Hilton, Hyatt and Wyndham also cut their full-year outlooks, citing the challenging macro environment and softening consumer demand amid concerns that travelers are holding off on trips.
—
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Lake Forest Caucus officials are interested in creating an electronic voting option for residents and holding off, at least temporarily, on making changes to provide direction in case the Caucus Committee and the general membership have a dispute.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Trump's tariffs have generated uncertainty about their impact on consumer prices and spending, as well as corporate profit margins, causing many businesses to hold off hiring.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
But this is a team that desperately needed a proven starter not only for October, but also to help hold off the Brewers, who are in first place in the NL Central.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold off
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Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Lake Forest Caucus officials are interested in creating an electronic voting option for residents and holding off, at least temporarily, on making changes to provide direction in case the Caucus Committee and the general membership have a dispute.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Trump's tariffs have generated uncertainty about their impact on consumer prices and spending, as well as corporate profit margins, causing many businesses to hold off hiring.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
But this is a team that desperately needed a proven starter not only for October, but also to help hold off the Brewers, who are in first place in the NL Central.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 1 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.
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