hold off

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hold off (third-person singular simple present holds off, present participle holding off, simple past and past participle held off)

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay.

   Let's try to hold off the lawyers until we are ready for them.

   • November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk

     The breakthrough came after 63 minutes as United’s unorthodox defence desperately tried to hold off a spell of sustained pressure.

2. (idiomatic, transitive) To delay commencing (an action until some specified time or event has passed).

   Hold off the decision one more day so I can answer your question.

   Hold off baking until I get there.

3. (idiomatic, intransitive) To delay commencing an action (until some specified time or event has passed).

   Hold off on baking until I get there.

• hold up
• hold it
• forhold

• offhold