on hold
Idioms-
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]
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates on hold at 3.50% to 3.75% on Wednesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Tilly, from Warrington, Cheshire, said the condition had felt like a "ticking time bomb" and that her life had been "on hold".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua has had a massive contract extension put on hold by the Rams.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Key to how Morgan Stanley sees things panning out is the non-consensus view of the investment bank’s economists who believe the Fed will stay on hold in 2026.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
I would have to put all of my plans on hold.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
