hold off

British  

verb

1. (tr) to keep apart or at a distance

2. to refrain (from doing something)

   he held off buying the house until prices fell slightly

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hold off Idioms  

1. Keep at a distance, resist, delay, as in This payment should hold off the creditors . [Early 1400]

2. Stop or delay from action, as in Let's hold off until we know more . [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

That may be another reason to hold off until you’re 70.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

It was a Mullins one-two in the Novices' Chase with a brilliant jumping display from 11-1 chance Kitzbuhel allowing him to hold off the challenge of 7-2 shot Final Demand.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Robusta, making just his fourth start for trainer Doug O’Neill, took the lead in the upper stretch but could not hold off the winner.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

“If talks break down, the upside risk remains, but the market may hold off on a full reaction until the scale of potential U.S. action against Iran becomes clearer.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

He told his brother to hurry and promised to hold off the enemy until Shoto had the Jade Key.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline