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 of hold off

• postpone
• delay
• defer
• put over

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

Investors are also cautious given signs of weakness in the labor market, and the outlook for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision next month, with more economists now expecting the Fed to hold off on cutting rates. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

Indeed, under her leadership Amazon has made great strides, attracting prestige brands that for years held off from joining the platform. —Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 20 Nov. 2025

In the four games before Sunday’s 2-1 Phantoms loss, in which he was held off the scoresheet, Bump posted two goals and six assists for eight points. —Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Some taxpayers might want to give more in 2025, while others should consider holding off until 2026. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for hold off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

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