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

hold your fire

1. Stop shooting. Used as a command, especially for military troops. Hold your fire—there are civilians present!
2. Don't speak, especially in a critical or angry manner. I know you're mad at the kids, but hold your fire until we get the whole story of what happened.
See also: fire, hold
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hold one's fire

 
1. Lit. to refrain from shooting (a gun, etc.). The sergeant told the soldiers to hold their fire. Please hold your fire until I get out of the way.
2. Fig. to postpone one's criticism or commentary. Now, now, hold your fire until I've had a chance to explain. Hold your fire, Bill. You're too quick to complain.
See also: fire, hold
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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 your fire

or

hold fire

1. If you hold your fire or hold fire, you wait and do not do anything for a while. We are holding fire on our assessment of the situation until a detailed analysis can be made.
2. If you hold your fire or hold fire, you delay attacking or criticizing someone. The administration will hold its fire until it sees the detail of the bill, but is likely then to oppose it. Note: These expressions are also used literally to talk about a situation where soldiers stop shooting, or wait before they start shooting.
See also: fire, hold
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

hold your ˈfire


1 delay or stop shooting for a while: Hold your fire! I think they’re going to surrender. OPPOSITE: open fire (on somebody/something)
2 stop attacking somebody: She told the journalists to hold their fire. If they didn’t listen to her, how would they know what she thought?
See also: fire, hold
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • hold fire
  • hold one's 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 fire