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

Trump held off introducing new restrictions against Russia for months but announced new sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies - Rosneft and Lukoil - on October 22, complaining that his peace talks with Putin were going nowhere. —Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

Cardell Williams then took the direct snap and raced in untouched for the winner with 9 seconds left, igniting a sideline celebration scene that hit another level when the Hornets held off the Vandals’ Hail Mary toward the end zone. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Michigan employers are slowing hiring and holding off on big investments. —Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025

For now, traders should hold off until the actual breakout given how many times the stock has hit its head on this level without getting through. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 13 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