hold off

hold off

1. To prevent someone or something from advancing or approaching; to keep someone or something at bay. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "off." We can't hold off the police for much longer—they're going to find us!
2. To wait to take action. A noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "off." I know you want to start on that project, but hold off until I get these questions answered by the boss.
See also: hold, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hold someone or something off

 
1. and keep someone or something off Lit. to do something physical to keep someone or something away; to stave someone or something off. Tom was trying to rob us, but we managed to hold him off. We held off the attackers. I couldn't keep off the reporters any longer.
2. Fig. to make someone or something wait. I know a lot of people are waiting to see me. Hold them off for a while longer. See what you can do to hold off the reporters.
See also: hold, off

hold off (on someone or something)

to delay doing something concerning someone or something. Please hold off on Tom until we interview the other candidates. I will hold off on this job for a while.
See also: hold, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

hold off

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]
See also: hold, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

hold off

v.
1. To keep someone or something at a distance; resist someone or something: The firm's attorney held the creditors off. We held off the reporters as long as we could.
2. To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data. I held off buying a house until I had a down payment.
See also: hold, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • bear off from (someone or something)
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
The second heat should go to TITAN MOON (Race 10) who can hold off Moorfoot Maggie.
Cheeky Chops has nerve to score
RELUCTANT ROGER (Race 10) can take command and hold off all challengers.
Don't be Reluctant to back Roger
'I think they will hold off and build in Scarborough until they feel like they have extracted as much as they can from the Duterte government,' he added.
China squeezing every ounce of chance from PH on Scarborough issue-expert
CAMAS (Heat 7) is well-boxed to hold off Confident Rankin.
Dragon ready to blaze to victory
One who appreciated the conditions was the experienced Money Trader, who battled on strongly to hold off a threepronged challenge in the opening juvenile maiden.
Money Trader finds mud to his liking; NAAS
Finding reserves of energy and resolve, Yarm increased their stroke rate to hold off a spirited Henley finish, hauling their craft over the line first.
Yarm win makes gold double
The Australian used all his experience under pressure to hold off the challenge of Tiger Woods to become the first back-to-back winner of this tournament in 22 years and he'll hope for a hat-trick of titles this weekend.
SPORT: PICK OF THE DAY; Live US Tour Golf (Sky Sports 2, 12.00am)
Mitt Romney, who has vowed to block the marriages, may go before the state high court and argue that it is in the public interest to hold off on issuing marriage licenses until the people can vote on the amendment proposal in 2006, said Mary Bonauto, an attorney with Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders.
Not giving up: activists vow that roadblocks to marriage equality in San Francisco and Massachusetts will be only temporary
Other immune cells, as well as antibodies produced by plasma cells, a more mature form of B cells, can hold off germs for the months it takes for new B cells to repopulate the body.
Killing immune cells thwarts arthritis
"If they can demonstrate that," he said, "they can hold off the banks in the bankruptcy court.
Court OK's chapter 11 for personal bankruptcy
Canaleta hit 19 of his team-high 25 points in the final two frames and the Bolts finished with just enough spunk to hold off the Elite, who led by as many as 12 points early in the second only to sputter in the third.
Bolts turn back Elite
KILBURN (matched at a high of 80) was given an excellent ride by Philip Robinson to hold off Mariotto (hurt his 1.3 in-running backers) in the two-year-old maiden at Goodwood.
Horse Racing: TRADING POST - TRADING REPORT
Semple's charge, a 16-1 shot, has had his enthusiasm questioned in the past, but he stuck to his task well to hold off Trinculo by three-quarters of a length with Piccled a similar distance away in third.
Racing: Mak the knife; SEMPLE ACE OFF TO FLYER
Regular doses of vitamin A hold off many cases of malaria in children, particularly those ages 1 to 3, new research shows.
Vitamin A thwarts malaria in children
Christian Standhardinger showed why he is indeed one of the biggest recruits this year, scoring the final four baskets, the last of which an undergoal stab with 5.3 seconds to spare to hold off the Philippine side in his ABL debut.
Standhardinger, Hong Kong foil Alab Pilipinas comeback