hold off

verb

held off; holding off; holds off

transitive verb

1

: to block from an objective : delay

2

: to defer action on : postpone

hold off a decision

3

: to fight to a standoff : withstand

intransitive verb

: to defer or temporarily stop doing something

Synonyms

• defer
• delay
• hold over
• hold up
• lay over
• postpone
• put off
• put over
• remit
• shelve

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

The Sharks held off the Leafs for the rest of the third period but forward Luke Kunin was assessed a hooking penalty at the end of regulation time. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025

According to the outlet, the uncertainty around future visits to one of America’s most beloved national parks has many travelers holding off booking trips or else making other plans entirely. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 4 Mar. 2025

Ukraine's people, led by President Zelenskyy, have fought bravely to hold off Putin. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025

Chris Paul added 12 points and 12 assists, while Devin Vassell scored 20 points, but the Spurs couldn't hold off the Pelicans, who trailed by four points heading into the fourth quarter. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for hold off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

hold off

verb

1

: to keep away : withstand

held off the attack

2

: postpone, delay

decided to hold off on the decision

will hold off production for the summer