hold off — to delay or postpone something; to resist or repel an attack or advance
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to delay or postpone something; to resist or repel an attack or advance
Pronunciation (IPA): /hoʊld ɔːf/
Example Sentences
- The soldiers managed to hold off the zombie invasion until reinforcements arrived.
- I'm going to hold off on buying that expensive coffee machine until I save more money.
- The superhero held off the giant robot while evacuating the citizens.
hold off
VERB[/hoʊld ɔːf/]
to delay or postpone something; to resist or repel an attack or advance
to delay or postpone something; to resist or repel an attack or advance
Stay bold as you're told, and hold off the cold!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb combines Old English 'healdan' (to grasp, maintain) with 'off' (away, at a distance). The combination originally meant to keep something at a distance or in abeyance, evolving to mean either to postpone or to resist and repel.
Breakdown
hold (Old English healdan: grasp, maintain) + off (away, at distance) = to keep at bay or postpone
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The soldiers managed to hold off the zombie invasion until reinforcements arrived.”
“I'm going to hold off on buying that expensive coffee machine until I save more money.”
“The superhero held off the giant robot while evacuating the citizens.”
“Can we hold off on this discussion until everyone is present?”
📚Related Words
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