on hold

Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

The slowdown in the measures closely watched by policymakers suggests the central bank can stay on the sidelines after keeping interest rates on hold at the last policy meeting.

From The Wall Street Journal

That list was put on hold temporarily last year but is due to kick in on Feb. 7 unless the bloc takes steps to extend the suspension.

From The Wall Street Journal

The BBC understands the plan to eliminate tariffs on UK steel exports entirely has now been put on hold.

From BBC

"The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold," he added.

From Barron's

While any military action appears on hold, the U.S. announced new sanctions on Friday against Iranian officials it said were responsible for the bloodshed, including Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s national security council and a close counterpart to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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