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

But hold off on warm-season annuals and vegetables, such as tomatoes, until your area's frost-free date. —Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026

Others believe that Xi will hold off on any action until 2028, an election year in Taiwan, hoping that the Kuomintang will retake the presidency and be open to negotiating a cross-Taiwan Strait settlement. —Andy Browne, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Tarasov, who made 24 saves for Florida, then held off an onslaught from the Rangers in the third period before Reinhardt scored the game-winner. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

In the past, lawmakers have cited Ethics Committee investigations as reason to hold off on making any judgment until the panel has concluded its work. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 13 Apr. 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