hold one's fire
hold (one's) fire
1. To cease or pause firing a firearm. Hold your fire, men—wait until they have crested the hill before attacking. Tell your men to hold fire! We surrender!
2. By extension, to stop attacking, harassing, or criticizing someone or something. He's asking his legions of fans to hold their fire in their online attacks against his accuser.
See also: fire, hold
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
hold one's fire
Refrain from comment or criticism, especially for the time being. For example, Hold your fire, Jim, she's not finished yet, or Nancy decided to hold her fire until she had more information. This expression alludes to refraining from shooting a gun and originated in the military.
See also: fire, hold
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- hold (one's) fire
- hold fire
- hold your fire
- miss fire
- cease fire
- open fire on (someone)
- under fire
- have a/(one's) finger on the button
- draw (someone's) fire
- draw someone's fire