hold on vs hold off

The phrases 'hold on' and 'hold off' have different meanings and are not directly comparable. 'Hold on' is used to ask someone to wait or pause, while 'hold off' means to delay or postpone something. They are not interchangeable and are used in different contexts.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1271 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"hold on"

It is used to ask someone to wait or pause, often used in conversations or situations where a delay is needed.

Examples:

Hold on a moment, I'll be right back.
Hold on, let me finish what I'm doing first.
Can you hold on for a second while I grab my keys?

Show examples from the web [+]

He's here, hold on.
All right, hold on, Tom.
You didn't have the guts to hold on.
So they want us to hold on for two months.
You're reaching out, trying to hold on to something awesome.
We can hold on until they forget about this.
No, hold on a moment.
Sweetheart, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Okay, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
All right, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Doug, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Jess, hold on, hold on, hold on, J...
Hold on Murphy, hold on, hold on.
Hold on, hold on, hold on, Anton.
All right, now hold on, hold on.
Missy, Missy, hold on, hold on.
All right, hold on, hold on.
Okay, hold on, hold on.
Alice, Alice, hold on, hold on.

Alternatives:

wait a moment
pause for a second
hang on
stay put
hold your horses

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"hold off"

It means to delay or postpone something, often used in situations where a decision or action needs to be put on hold.

Examples:

Let's hold off on making a decision until we have more information.
They decided to hold off on the project until next year.
I think we should hold off on announcing the news until later.

Show examples from the web [+]

However, Ms. Miller has agreed to hold off till you conduct your investigation.
We'd like to hold off on charging Juliana McVie.
Regina can hold off the self-destruct device long enough for us to escape, but...
I can't hold off an entire army.
We're supposed to hold off the police.
Well, I imagine we should hold off, then.
You better hold off on that for now.
I said, I want to hold off.
Tell Officer Hogan to hold off on the riot gear.
Actually, I'd hold off on that.
I convinced him to hold off until we know more.
But the Chief has asked that we hold off till tomorrow.
Zoey, call down to the OR, tell them to hold off.
Besides, my father says his lawyer might have a lead, so we should hold off.
We need to hold off until we know what we're dealing with.
In fact, he asked her to hold off just a few days, maybe he could turn things around.
We can hold off as long as you feel it necessary, mayor. Councilman.
Listen, Alastair, if you're thinking of putting a military presence - on the streets, I wish you'd hold off.
They want to hold off the future.
I'd hold off on the maternity underwear.

Alternatives:

delay
postpone
put off
wait
defer

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hold on vs hold off

"hold on"

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