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
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
See All Example Sentences for hold off
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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
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 18 Mar. 2025.
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