hold off

British  

verb

1. (tr) to keep apart or at a distance

2. to refrain (from doing something)

   he held off buying the house until prices fell slightly

---

hold off Idioms  

1. Keep at a distance, resist, delay, as in This payment should hold off the creditors . [Early 1400]

2. Stop or delay from action, as in Let's hold off until we know more . [c. 1600]

---

Example Sentences

General Motors delivered solid earnings for the March quarter even as rising gas prices prompted some customers to hold off on buying new cars.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

“It would be appropriate to hold off on interest-rate hikes until the situation in the Strait of Hormuz moves toward normalization or the outlook for crude oil procurement becomes clear,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

He said the U.S. will hold off on attacking the nation until a new proposal is put forward, or “discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

With last year's winner Jonbon not running, the field was open and jockey Skelton said aggressive riding "definitely helped" Grey Dawning hold off second-placed Solness by a neck.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

He had to hug his arms close to his side to hold off the shivering.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko