What are the definitions of “hold off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1When bad weather doesn't appear.
The rain HELD OFF until we'd got back home.
- 2Stop someone from attacking or beating you.
Chelsea couldn't HOLD their opponents OFF and lost the game.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “hold off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb hold off is to delay or postpone something, often due to external factors like weather or other circumstances. For example, it can mean that bad weather does not happen, or it can refer to stopping someone from attacking or beating you in a game.
What are the different verb forms of “hold off”?
| Root Verb | hold off |
| Third Person Singular Present | holds off |
| Present Participle | holding off |
| Simple Past | held off |
| Past Participle | held off |
Example
We need to hold off on the project until we get more funding.
Example
She holds off on making a decision until she has all the information.
Example
They are holding off on the trip due to the bad weather forecast.
Example
He held off on buying a new car until he found a better deal.
Example
The decision was held off until the next meeting.
What kind of phrasal verb is “hold off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“hold off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The rain held off until we got back home.
Example
Chelsea couldn't hold their opponents off and lost the game.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“hold off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The rain held off until we got back home.
Example
Chelsea couldn't hold their opponents off and lost the game.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “hold off”?
Good things to know
Does “hold off” have an informal or formal tone?
Hold off is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as business meetings or written communication.
