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]
-
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.
Next week, Kevin Warsh is due to chair his first Federal Reserve rate meeting and widely expected to keep rates on hold.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
Before his foray into politics, Raimondo was studying for his A-levels, which he reportedly put on hold to make time for his campaign.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
The Bank of Canada is expected to leave interest rates on hold at 2.25% on Wednesday, according to market pricing on LSEG.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Nevertheless, investors were worried that a labor market on the mend would make it more difficult for the Federal Reserve to justify leaving interest rates on hold.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026
The man sighed and put her on hold.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
