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

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

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

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

And if you want to avoid the crowds, hold off until the star players are “out far away on the course,” said Golf.com managing editor Josh Berhow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 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

Or I’d feed them dinner and put them to bed but hold off on eating myself, lighting a few candles and looking forward to sharing a meal with Barack.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama