to hold off on

Examples

• All

• Let's hold off on any alerts.

  Twisters (2024)

• I held off on raising the rent as long as I could.

  Hearts Beat Loud (2018)

• Maybe we should hold off on the questions.

  The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022)

• No, no, no, hold off on that.

  The Patriot (1998)

• Can you guys hold off on the weather report for a minute?

  Fiction book (1990)

• But he decided to hold off on that, too.

  Fiction book (2001)

• I think I'm going to hold off on skills for now.

• But I think we should hold off on any more test flights until we figure out something else.

  Lightyear (2022)

• Did they make sure to hold off on the resignation until after the election?

  Blog text (10)

• And maybe that's why many of you have been holding off on new tech purchases in the last year.

  Academic text (2006)

Synonyms

W

to wait

vsto hold off on

∞ 1.0

To stay in one place or delay action until something happens

is more active postponement rather than passive remaining

H

to hold on

vsto hold off on

• Informal

∞ 1.3

To wait for a short time during a phone call

involves longer or more intentional postponement rather than a brief pause

D

to delay

vsto hold off on

562 1.4

To make something happen later than planned

focuses on pausing before acting rather than on consequences

P

to postpone

vsto hold off on

234 3.4

To delay something until a later time because of a problem

emphasizes waiting to decide rather than scheduling later

S

to stall

vsto hold off on

166 4.3

To delay doing something on purpose to get more time

delays for a simple pause rather than to buy time strategically

P

to put off

vsto hold off on

113 2.9

Delay something until a later time

keeps the choice open rather than fixing a later time

H

to hang on

vsto hold off on

• Informal

111 3.4

To wait a short time or keep going through a hard time

involves delaying action longer rather than short endurance

W

to wait on

vsto hold off on

• US

83 3.9

To delay doing something until someone answers or a situation changes

focuses on independent pause rather than depending on others

H

to hold off

vsto hold off on

78 3.8

To wait before doing something

is identical in meaning and usage with nothing distinguishing it

H

to hold fire

vsto hold off on

47 5.6

To stop shooting or attacking and wait before taking action

applies broader everyday postponement rather than stopping action entirely

S

to sit on

vsto hold off on

34 4.2

Delay making a decision about something while thinking about it

applies to waiting generally, not only careful consideration

B

to buy time

vsto hold off on

23 4.1

To delay something on purpose to get more time to prepare

is often a passive waiting rather than an active tactic

H

to hang tight

vsto hold off on

• Informal

22 7.4

Wait patiently and stay calm during a delay

is about postponing an action rather than staying calm

H

to hold back

vsto hold off on

16 3.5

Wait before doing something because you feel unsure

delays action deliberately rather than from uncertainty

D

to defer

vsto hold off on

• Formal

15 5.5

To delay something until a later time

is more flexible and informal about delaying action

P

to put on ice

vsto hold off on

11 5.8

To delay a plan or project for a while

centers on simple waiting rather than formal suspension

S

to stall for time

vsto hold off on

• Informal

6 4.8

To delay doing something to get more time

may be a simple pause instead of strategic time buying

K

to keep on ice

vsto hold off on

2 7.9

To delay something and keep it for later use

focuses on delaying action rather than reserving resources

P

to put on the back burner

vsto hold off on

1 5.6

To delay dealing with something until later and make it less important

is a more direct pause rather than deprioritizing

H

to hold over

vsto hold off on

1 4.6

To keep something for use or sale after its planned time

means pausing action now rather than lengthening duration

P

to punt on

vsto hold off on

• Informal

1 8.2

Delay deciding about something to avoid commitment

is often temporary caution rather than avoidance of commitment

H

to hold one's horses

vsto hold off on

• Informal

1 7.2

Tell someone to wait and be patient

instructs measured delay rather than personal restraint advice

H

to hang fire

vsto hold off on

• Informal

1 8.0

To delay making a decision or taking action

is more like simple pausing than indefinite suspension

S

to sit on a decision

vsto hold off on

4.2

Delay making a decision by waiting instead of choosing

is general delay or pause rather than decision-focused stalling

D

to do it mañana

vsto hold off on

• Informal

9.9

To wait until tomorrow to do something instead of doing it now

is less casual and more deliberate about postponement

G

to get a tuit

vsto hold off on

• Informal

9.9

Delay doing something by joking you will do it someday

is straightforward delaying without joking or irony

B

to bide one's time

vsto hold off on

• Informal

7.5

Wait for a good chance before acting

is a plain delay rather than strategic opportunity waiting

Antonyms

P

to proceed

763 3.0

Begin or continue an action after a pause, often as planned

H

to hurry up

• Informal

637 1.0

To move or act more quickly to avoid being late

How Long

to shelve

11 5.0

to postpone

234 3.4

to hold off on

37 4.2

to wait

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology