hold off
verb
held off; holding off; holds off
1
: to block from an objective : delay
2
: to defer action on : postpone
hold off a decision
3
: to fight to a standoff : withstand
: to defer or temporarily stop doing something
Examples of hold off in a Sentence
we held off on accepting the invitation in the hopes that something better would come along
Recent Examples on the Web
Trustees held off on reaching a consensus on any specific changes to the code, and no date has been set on continuing the e-bike discussion.
—
Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025
This would be welcome news to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, for example, who thus far has held off a cut to the base rate for fears about how the Oval Office’s policies may impact their goal of 2% inflation.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 July 2025
The Charlotte Hornets held off a big comeback by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer League championship game.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025
The 294-pound Jackson’s versatility in the trenches could help, but he’s got competition to hold off.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold off
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Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025
This would be welcome news to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, for example, who thus far has held off a cut to the base rate for fears about how the Oval Office’s policies may impact their goal of 2% inflation.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 July 2025
The Charlotte Hornets held off a big comeback by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer League championship game.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025
The 294-pound Jackson’s versatility in the trenches could help, but he’s got competition to hold off.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hold off
Cite this Entry
“Hold off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hold%20off. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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