on hold

1. In a state of temporary interruption, but not disconnection, during a telephone call, as in While I was on hold, I checked my calendar for when I could schedule a meeting , or They had to put me on hold while they looked up my account . [c. 1960]

2. In a state of postponement or delay, as in When she was transferred, they had to put their romance on hold . This figurative usage is a broadened sense of def. 1. [ Colloquial ; c. 1970]

Example Sentences

The private-equity firms had planned to list Shawbrook earlier this year, but put the effort on hold because of market swings triggered by the U.S. tariff moves in early April.

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Some are apparently putting them on hold because of fresh anxiety about the economy.

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With inflation rising above the 2% level deemed optimal by rate setters, the ECB looks more likely to leave interest rates on hold for a third-straight meeting at the end of this month.

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That decision is on hold while the administration appeals.

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Scheduled workplace-safety inspections are on hold and so are many regulatory reviews.

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Related Words

• dormant 
• dull 
• idle 
• immobile 
• inoperative 
• jobless 
• passive 
• sedentary 
• sluggish 
• static 
• unemployed 
• unused