Laxi Dictionary

American Dictionary

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Definition hold off in American English

hold off phrasal verb

phrasal verb
1

to deliberately delay doing something

Example

He may decide to hold off for a few days.

Example

How much longer can they hold off on political reform?

Example

She held off calling him until the last possible moment.

Synonyms and related words
delay wait hesitate
2

to stop someone who is trying to attack you from coming close

Example

I held them off with bricks and stones.

Synonyms and related words
fight off fend off stand up to
3

to stop an opponent from starting to win or lead

Example

They held off a furious late challenge by Fiji to win 37-25.

Synonyms and related words
blank block bobble
4

to stop something from happening

Example

They can hold off the accusations until the election.

Synonyms and related words
prevent stop avert
5

if rain or snow holds off, it does not fall, although you expected it to

Synonyms and related words
rain snow come down
Definition hold off in American English