hold off
verb
held off; holding off; holds off
1
: to block from an objective : delay
2
: to defer action on : postpone
hold off a decision
3
: to fight to a standoff : withstand
: to defer or temporarily stop doing something
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
Bank of America analysts predicted last week the Fed will hold off on lowering rates until the second half of 2027, pointing to an uptick in inflation and strong jobs numbers.
—
Joe Walsh, CBS News, 13 May 2026
For all the talk about bunker complexes that seem to line every landing area — there are 20 bunkers on the 11th hole alone — players have been talking about the greens all week, particularly if the rain holds off and the course gets firm.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Long Beach held off a Hawaii rally to win the second set 25-18.
—Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
In Ottawa’s first three games of the postseason, however, Jenner and Leslie had yet to connect; Jenner was held off the scoresheet entirely.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
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Joe Walsh, CBS News, 13 May 2026
For all the talk about bunker complexes that seem to line every landing area — there are 20 bunkers on the 11th hole alone — players have been talking about the greens all week, particularly if the rain holds off and the course gets firm.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
Long Beach held off a Hawaii rally to win the second set 25-18.
—Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
In Ottawa’s first three games of the postseason, however, Jenner and Leslie had yet to connect; Jenner was held off the scoresheet entirely.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Cite this Entry
“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20off. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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