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hold off

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌhoʊld ˈɔf/ · UK /ˌhəʊld ˈɒf/

hold off means: To wait before starting something or making a decision.

verb

WAIT TO STARTB2

To wait before starting something or making a decision.

  • Let’s hold off until Monday.
  • We held off buying a new car.
  • Can you hold off on the announcement?

How to use it: hold off on something (We held off on the purchase until prices fell.); hold off doing something (Please hold off sending the message.); hold off until… (They held off until everyone was ready.)

Similar words: wait, delay, postpone

Common phrases: hold off buying, hold off until tomorrow, hold off on something

KEEP AWAYB2

To stop someone or something from reaching you or causing trouble for a while.

  • The soldiers held off the attackers.
  • A small snack can hold off hunger.
  • Can these walls hold them off?

How to use it: hold someone/something off (The guards held the crowd off until help arrived.)

Similar words: keep at bay, keep away, fend off

Common phrases: hold off attackers, hold off something

Questions about hold off

What does hold off mean?

To wait before starting something or making a decision.

What is hold off in other languages?

Türkçe: ertelemek · Español: esperar · Français: attendre · Deutsch: abwarten · Italiano: aspettare · 日本語: 待つ

How do you pronounce hold off?

In American English /ˌhoʊld ˈɔf/; in British English /ˌhəʊld ˈɒf/.

How do you use hold off in a sentence?

Let’s hold off until Monday. We held off buying a new car.

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hold off in other languages

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