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hold

hold

276 2.0
A time when something is paused or delayed
  • noun
  • /hoʊld/
translation icon : espera
  • The judge put the case on hold, stating that further proceedings would be delayed until new evidence was presented.
  • put on hold

No more sending letters or waiting on hold making freaking phone calls.

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Examples

  • But let's put that on hold for a few weeks.

  • And I put school on hold to take care of him and my children.

  • Can I just put you on hold for a second, please?

  • "Many of our projects had to be put on hold while the engineers were training," Nelson added.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Currently, the final form of the Pedagogy test is on hold for the academic year 1995-96.

    Academic text (1996)
  • For the moment, his travel plans are on hold, he says. "That's ominous."

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Educators cannot put their decisions on hold until numerous high-quality research studies are conducted on their particular situation.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Due to the pandemic, many projects were put on hold as everyone adapted to new safety regulations.

  • She decided to put her travel plans on hold until the situation improved and it was safe to fly.

Synonyms

delay
vshold
434 1.3

A time when something happens later than planned

is a paused or suspended period rather than only later timing
wait
vshold
227 1.0

A period of time spent staying in one place expecting someone or something

is the paused period itself, not the act of waiting or staying
interruption
vshold
99 3.0

A short time when something stops or is delayed

is the period of pause itself rather than the breaking event
suspension
vshold
70 4.3

A temporary stop of an activity or service

focuses on a paused period rather than the formal act of stopping
standstill
vshold
35 3.5

A time when movement or activity stops completely

is a paused period that can be partial, not necessarily total stoppage
hiatus
vshold
34 6.3

A pause in an activity or series that is usually temporary

is the general paused period, not only a gap in a series
holdup
vshold
  • US
20 3.8

A delay that stops something from moving forward

is the general paused period, not necessarily caused by obstruction
postponement
vshold
19 3.4

A delay that makes an event or activity happen later than planned

is the paused time itself, not the decision to move timing
time lag
vshold
4 4.4

A delay between an event and its effect

is the paused period itself rather than a gap in cause and effect
1 5.1

A situation with no progress or decisions while people wait

is a paused period but not limited to awaiting actions or choices
major hold-up
vshold
4.1

A big delay that stops or slows progress

is a neutral paused period that may be shorter or less severe

Antonyms

1.0

To keep doing something without stopping

297 3.1

To start an activity again after a pause

Idioms

169 2.5

Stopped for a short time until someone decides to continue

75 1.2

Ask someone to wait for a short time

to hold a grudge
  • Informal
42 4.8

To feel angry at someone for something they did in the past that hurt you

Make someone do what they promised or take responsibility by pressuring them

to hold the bag
  • Informal
11 8.8

End up responsible for the blame or a problem others avoid

8 6.1

To have control or an advantage in a situation

8 8.2

Tell someone to wait so you can check or explain something

7 5.5

To have complete control and a strong advantage in a situation

Do what you promised in an agreement

4 4.4

Act proudly and confidently, not ashamed

3 5.4

To stay silent to avoid saying something rude

3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

Ask anyone who objects to speak now or be silent forever

1 8.1

Do not expect it to happen soon or at all

Keep speaking for a long time in a meeting so others cannot speak

1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

1 9.7

To keep from peeing for a while

1 7.8

Drink alcohol without getting drunk

to hold the baby
  • Informal
1 8.8

To have the only responsibility for a hard problem when others avoid it

8.1

To be able to drink alcohol without getting drunk

9.0

To drink alcohol without becoming very drunk or sick

9.9

A joking request to someone to hold your drink before doing something daring

hold my beer
  • Slang
9.9

A joking way to say you will try something daring or foolish after someone else does

7.5

To do something unpleasant because it is necessary

5.0

Do as well as others in a difficult situation

Keep a wedding ring safely until it is needed in the ceremony

To support two opposite sides at the same time to please both

too hot to hold
  • Informal
7.6

So popular that people buy it very quickly

Compounds

18 3.9

A process in which an idea or habit starts to be accepted by many people

16 3.9

A space on a ship or plane that contains goods during transport

15 5.4

A robbery using threats or a sudden delay

choke hold
  • NSFW
7 7.5

A tight arm around someone's neck from behind to stop them moving or make them pass out

3 4.1

A firm grip with the hands or arms that keeps something from moving

1 4.8

A thing you can hold for support, or simple help for someone new

scissor hold
  • Jargon
1 7.8

A position where someone wraps their legs around an opponent's body or head and presses their feet together to squeeze

wrestling hold
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A grip or move used to control an opponent in a match

A big delay that stops or slows progress

7.0

A rule that limits how much something can rise

hold-up play
  • Jargon
5.9

A way a player keeps the ball to let teammates move forward

scissors hold
  • Jargon
8.1

A wrestler wraps their legs around someone's body or head and squeezes them with the feet

How Long

moratorium
  • Formal
45 8.5
suspension
70 4.3
hold
276 2.0
to delay
562 1.4
pause
192 1.0

Surface Forms

hold singular
holds plural

Etymology

The noun hold meaning a pause or being kept waiting comes from Old English healdan, 'to keep', which is why being 'on hold' means being kept waiting.