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to hold off
[phrase form: hold]
01
to resist defeat or unfavorable outcomes through defense or delay
Transitive: to hold off sb/sth
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
action verb
regular
separable
particle
off
base verb
hold
present tense
hold off
3rd person singular
holds off
present participle
holding off
past simple
held off
past participle
held off
Examples
The team managed to hold the opposing team off until the final whistle.
02
to refrain from taking immediate action
Transitive: to hold off an action | to hold off on an action
Examples
She decided to hold off on buying a new car until she had saved more money.
03
(of storms or rains) to not begin for a period of time
Intransitive
Examples
The dark clouds threatened, but the rain held off during the outdoor wedding ceremony.
