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

Jude Bellingham got their first two goals and Kane converted a penalty as England held off a late fightback. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

The teams got to Saturday’s match in dramatic fashions, with Norway holding off perennial power and five-time World Cup champion Brazil 2-1 and England going into Mexico City and stunning previously unbeaten — and unscored-upon — co-host Mexico 3-2. — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Megan Gustafson scored 17 points, two others had double-doubles and the Portland Fire held off the Atlanta Dream, who were without All-Star Angel Reese, 102-92 on Saturday. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

Novak Djokovic wins his second Wimbledon title and denies Roger Federer his record eighth by holding off the Swiss star in five sets. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

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