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

• 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

Trustees held off on reaching a consensus on any specific changes to the code, and no date has been set on continuing the e-bike discussion. —Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025

This would be welcome news to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, for example, who thus far has held off a cut to the base rate for fears about how the Oval Office’s policies may impact their goal of 2% inflation. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 July 2025

The Charlotte Hornets held off a big comeback by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer League championship game. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025

The 294-pound Jackson’s versatility in the trenches could help, but he’s got competition to hold off. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 July 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