hold off

verb

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of hold 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

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Recent Examples of hold off from the Web

The Trump administration ordered the State Department to hold off on spending the money, which includes funding for aid groups in northwestern Syria, pending an assessment several months ago.

— jessica donati, WSJ, "U.S. Issues Terror Designation for Rising Syrian Militant Group," 31 May 2018
In a battle of two of the top teams in Kentucky, Mercy held off rival Holy Cross 4-2 in the semifinals of the Sixth Region Tournament Tuesday night at the University of Louisville’s Ulmer Stadium.

— kenzie winstead, The Courier-Journal, "Mercy softball holds off Holy Cross in Sixth Region semifinals," 29 May 2018
The league held off awarding the 26th spot for six months because of ownership and stadium issues with the other three candidates: Sacramento, Detroit and Cincinnati.

— joe kay, Pro Soccer USA, "MLS names FC Cincinnati latest expansion team," 29 May 2018
Power then held off pole winner Ed Carpenter over the final few laps for the victory.

— CBS News, "Will Power wins Indy 500; Danica Patrick crashes out," 27 May 2018
Chad Proctor held off a charging Luke Baldwin in the Mid-American feature.

— tony baranek, Daily Southtown, "Fields' dreams: Street stock qualifying ace Rita Fields comes ready to race at Grundy County Speedway," 26 May 2018
The Kougars held off Munster 5-4 in Tuesday’s second game.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Towle in tow: Junior slugger Jenna Towle's two-run double sparks Lake Central past Lowell in sectional," 23 May 2018
For now, leadership is continuing to push the final five moderates to hold off on signing the discharge petition, promising a vote on not just a conservative immigration proposal, but also another piece of legislation of the moderates' choosing.

— lauren fox, CNN, "On latest immigration fight, moderates use conservative playbook," 22 May 2018
Otherwise, the Ravens figure to hold off on taking a cornerback until the later rounds and safety isn’t an immediate need.

— jeff zrebiec, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens position-by-position draft preview: Defensive back," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hold off.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hold off

15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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