hold over

To keep something for later instead of dealing with it now.

• We will hold this over.
• They held the report over until the next meeting.
• Can we hold over discussion of the budget?

How to use it: hold something over until something (We held the decision over until Monday.)

Similar words: postpone, defer

Common phrases: hold over something, hold over discussion

To give someone enough food, money, or support until they can get more.

• A banana will hold me over.
• That small loan held her over until payday.
• Will these sandwiches hold everyone over until dinner?

How to use it: hold someone over until something (This snack will hold us over until lunch.)

Similar words: tide over

Common phrases: hold someone over, hold me over

To use something damaging about someone to threaten or control them.

• He holds my secret over me.
• She held the old accusation over his head.
• What information do they hold over you?

How to use it: hold something over someone (She held his secret over him.); hold something over someone’s head (He held that mistake over her head for years.)

Similar words: blackmail, threaten

Common phrases: hold something over, hold evidence over

To stay in a job or property after the agreed period has ended.

• The tenant held over.
• Two committee members held over until replacements were appointed.
• Can an officer hold over after her term ends?

How to use it: hold over after something (The tenant held over after the lease expired.)

Similar words: remain, stay on

Common phrases: hold over temporarily, hold over unlawfully