to withhold payment vs to delay payment

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'To withhold payment' means to refuse to pay money that is owed, while 'to delay payment' means to postpone paying money until a later time. The choice between the two depends on the specific context and intention of the action.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 782 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"to withhold payment"

This phrase is used when someone refuses to pay money that is owed, often due to a dispute or disagreement.

Examples:

The company decided to withhold payment until the work was completed to their satisfaction.
The customer threatened to withhold payment if the services were not provided as agreed.
The landlord can withhold payment if the tenant violates the terms of the lease.

Show examples from the web [+]

Would conviction of a serious infringement qualify as a reason to withhold payment of EFF money to the vessel owner, to require its recovery by the Member State or to exclude future payments to the vessel owner?
The Bank threatened to withhold payment which then could be made directly to key politicians for their support.
The European Commission is the exclusive custodian of the monies paid into the European Union by the Member States and it alone holds the power to withhold payments if it observes any form of wrongdoing.
If a specific paying agency keeps making mistakes, the Commission should, in my opinion, have the opportunity to withhold payments for a couple of months until it is satisfied that the paying agency is functioning properly.
This report should spur the British Government to withhold all payments to the EU until fraud - to use its proper name - is meaningfully tackled by this Parliament.
If this is not done, I am afraid we will have to withhold direct payments under the common agricultural policy.
On the other hand, the Commission's answer also claims that 'The rules of the temporary restructuring fund do not foresee a possibility to withhold payments from a beneficiary who does not comply with his obligations.'
A photograph that you submitted to the museum, and I spoke to your insurance company; They're going to withhold your payment.
Is the Commission threatening to withhold farm support payments unless Ireland complies?
Yes. If, in our opinion, the applicant hasn't exercised proper diligence in seeking employment, we can withhold payment of cheques.
Should concerns be raised, the Commission can withhold the payments, and has already done so.
In the event of failure to perform, or incomplete performance of, the contract by the air carrier for reasons of its own doing, the procurer is entitled to reduce the compensation payment or withhold such payment until correction has been made.
In the event of failure to perform, or incomplete performance of the contract by the air carrier for reasons of its own doing, Rikstrafiken is entitled to reduce the compensation payment or withhold such payment until correction has been made.
The payments are made in instalments (as illustrated by the tables in recital 234) which ensures that the municipalities can withhold a payment if there is any indication of a risk of overcompensation.
The Commission has the right to withhold monthly transfers to Member States who repeatedly are found to be unable to execute the direct payment scheme correctly.
Following an order of the Court of First Instance, Brussels, fixing maintenance payments payable to the applicant's spouse, the Commission began to withhold part of the applicant's salary.
In what circumstances are employers in Poland currently entitled to withhold, in full or in part, salary or wage payments that are due to be paid normally to employees on a monthly or weekly basis?
There is no need to withhold this information any longer.
I told him to withhold that information.
I am tired of defense attorneys Hiding behind privilege to withhold evidence.

Alternatives:

to refuse payment
to hold back payment
to stop payment

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"to delay payment"

This phrase is used when someone decides to postpone paying money until a later time, often for reasons such as cash flow management or negotiation.

Examples:

The company requested to delay payment for another month due to financial constraints.
I asked if I could delay payment until the end of the week.
The supplier agreed to delay payment until the new shipment arrived.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm trying to delay payment...
Do not think to delay payment.
Determining exactly the economic advantage accruing to each producer would therefore require an excessive amount of administrative work liable to delay payment of the aid and affect the whole intervention system.
On the other hand, it might help the matter if more measures were drawn up that would provide a positive incentive for those involved in commercial relations and encourage them not to delay payments.
If so, is there any justifiable reason for a contractor such as Danish Management to delay payments to its consultants?
Calls on the Council to adopt SAB 5/1999, as modified, without modification in order not to delay payments;
Widespread resort to delays in payment, dictated by necessity or more often deliberate, destabilises the internal market and seriously damages international trade.
The higher carry-over rate into 2007 was mainly caused by extraordinary events in 2006 which required us to delay interim payments to topic centres until we were satisfied with deliveries.
For instance, an increase in public expenditures financed through debt delays payment to the cyclical upturn.
The vote today will again delay payments to farmers in Scotland and the UK.
This exercise has not been concluded yet, which could lead to delays in payments and subsequent loss of funds due to automatic de-commitment.
This led to delays in payments as the approval of the system by the Commission was a precondition to the first interim payments.
Does the insured person wish to delay the payment of the pension?
Due to payment delays by the Commission, the Foundation was unable to meet its financial commitments.
With the exception of COOPENER projects, the 50% funding is adequate and sufficient. Concerns remain over staging and potential delays to payments in awarded contracts.
A number of mayors in Catalonia have complained about the considerable delays to payments for projects financed from the Leader Community initiative.
A financial indicator for payments, taking data from the Commission accounting system, has been used to monitor payment delays.
The cumbersome administrative process for the allocation of funds led to payment delays in the Member States (see paragraphs 26 to 33).
The Bank has no discretion to suspend or delay the payment of a coupon on the hybrid instruments if it generates a profit in a given year.
The Commission undertakes to evaluate the reports referred to in Article 9(3) within a reasonable time-limit to avoid unnecessary delays in payments.

Alternatives:

to postpone payment
to defer payment
to put off payment

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to withhold payment vs to delay payment