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.
"I wasn't working for a bit because I changed careers and because of that I put dating on hold."
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
OK, I’m gonna put my solo album on hold for this.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
It would take “an especially hot CPI report” to trigger a change in expectations for rates to stay on hold in October, said ING economist James Knightley in a note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
With the prospect of borrowing costs being kept on hold for now, tech-rich markets were the big beneficiaries as such firms rely on debt to drive their vast investments.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
And to be out to lunch, to not return messages, and to keep folks on hold till they get gray and die.
From "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleischman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
