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

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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]

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Example Sentences

“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 adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

“Rain should hold off today, even though we definitely need more rain.”

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

British Airways owner IAG and EasyJet have been able to hold off on either measure so far as they are buying their fuel at a price fixed before the war began.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

That may be another reason to hold off until you’re 70.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

“Escort Percy so the sentries don’t shoot him. It’s my turn to hold off the baddies.”

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan