hold over

verb

1. to defer consideration of or action on

2. to postpone for a further period

3. to prolong (a note, chord, etc) from one bar to the next

4. (preposition) to intimidate (a person) with (a threat)

noun

1. an elected official who continues in office after his term has expired

2. a performer or performance continuing beyond the original engagement

Idioms and Phrases

Postpone or delay, as in Let's hold this matter over until the next meeting . [Mid-1800s]

Keep something in a position or state beyond the normal period, as in The film was to be held over for another week . [First half of 1900s]

Continue in office past the normal period, as in The committee chair held over until they could find a suitable replacement . [Mid-1600s]

hold something over someone . Have an advantage or use a threat to control someone. For example, They knew he'd been caught shoplifting and were sure to hold it over him . [Second half of 1800s]

Related Words

• adjourn 
• bar 
• block 
• defer 
• detain 
• hamper 
• hold 
• impede 
• keep 
• obstruct 
• postpone 
• prevent 
• prolong 
• put off 
• restrict 
• shelve 
• stall 
• stay 
• suspend 
• withhold