at hold

USAGE SUMMARY

'at hold' is not a word in English.
The phrase you may be looking for is 'on hold', which is used as an adjective to describe something that has been paused, stopped, or delayed. For example, "The project has been put on hold until further notice."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

We remain happy to stay at hold.

The Guardian - Business

Shares are at our target and we stay at hold.

The Guardian - Business

Given the lack of full visibility, we remain at hold.

The Guardian - Business

City won the game 5-0 at hold their position at the top of the league.

The Guardian - Sport

We raise our target to the bid level of 220p [from 195p] and remain at hold.

The Guardian - Business

We stay at hold with an unchanged multiple-based target price of 105p.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Mr. Hagel made a last stab at holding off violence.

The New York Times

Employers have succeeded at holding down labor costs.

The New York Times

She's good at holding herself in conversation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They are tremendous at holding onto the ball.

Los Angeles Times

I've heard she's really good at holding grudges.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating something is paused or delayed, use the correct idiom "on hold" instead of "at hold".

Common error

Avoid using "at" when "on" is the correct preposition for idiomatic expressions like "on hold". "At" typically refers to a location, while "on" can indicate a state or condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at hold" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, but its usage is generally considered incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that "at hold" is not a standard English phrase. The correct idiomatic form is "on hold".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at hold" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that "at hold" isn't a recognized English phrase. The correct and widely accepted idiom for indicating a state of suspension or delay is "on hold". Although some examples of "at hold" can be found, particularly in specific technical contexts, it's advisable to avoid using this phrase in formal or general communication. Instead, opt for ""on hold"" or semantically similar alternatives like "holding" or "in suspension" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on hold

Corrects the preposition; "on hold" is the standard idiomatic expression for something delayed or paused.

holding

Focuses on the action of holding, possibly referring to physically holding something or maintaining a position.

in a holding pattern

Specifies a state of waiting or suspended progress, often in aviation or business contexts.

holding steady

Indicates maintaining a stable position or condition without significant change.

to maintain

Highlights the aspect of keeping or preserving something in a certain state.

to retain

Emphasizes keeping possession of something.

to keep

A general term for maintaining possession or a state.

in suspension

Refers to something being temporarily stopped or delayed.

in abeyance

A more formal term for being temporarily inactive or suspended.

in stasis

Implies a state of equilibrium or inactivity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is paused?

The correct phrase is "on hold". For example, "The project is "on hold" pending further funding".

Is "at hold" grammatically correct?

Generally, no. "At hold" is not a standard English phrase. The correct idiomatic expression is ""on hold"".

What does "on hold" mean?

"On hold" means something is temporarily stopped or delayed. It is often used in business contexts to describe a project or decision that has been paused.

Are there situations where "at hold" might be acceptable?

While rare, in specialized technical contexts (e.g. engineering) "at hold" might describe a specific parameter or setting. However, ""on hold"" is preferable in most cases.