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.
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
The contract was put on hold following questions raised in Congress, amid a review of federal funds allocated for this purpose.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
New York Times writer Eli Tan used it to call his dental insurer and wait on hold for a human representative to come on.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Any payments to creditors - people or companies they owe money - are put on hold while proposals to restructure the business are drawn up.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
Unsurprisingly, the reintroduction program was put on hold.
From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh
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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.
