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]

Example Sentences

"So some of the wine we were able to make in 2017 was held over to be blended with that from 2018."

From BBC

This appeared to be a cryptic reference from Isak to the prospect of talks being held over a new contract last summer.

From BBC

The surge of interest in DeepSeek took hold over a weekend in late January, before corporate IT personnel could move to stop employees from flocking to it.

From BBC

The bill, which faced opposition from farm interests, was approved by the Assembly, but held over at the end of the legislative session.

From Los Angeles Times

It gave him something to hold over the many powerful people who came into his orbit.

From BBC

Related Words

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