hold off until

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold off until" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the act of showing restraint or deferring an action until a specific time or event. For example, you could say: "Let's hold off on making any decisions until we have heard from the other parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The worst weather should hold off until later Friday.

The Washington Post

All you need now is to hold off until lunch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We suggest investors hold off until there is more clarity.

The New York Times

Labour says it would hold off until next year to safeguard a fragile economic recovery.

The New York Times

However the main threat of storms should hold off until tonight.

The Washington Post

"I would hold off until she's 3. . . or until she fluently starts talking," he said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Next chance of rain holds off until Thursday night.

The Washington Post

Some companies may be holding off until the Secure Digital Music Initiative's efforts become clearer.

The New York Times - Tech

In North Carolina, official decisions about coastal-county evacuations were being held off until Monday or Tuesday.

The New York Times

Am I better off going for Cleveland's musical prestige or holding off until something more glamorously international turns up?

The New York Times - Arts

Inventory in Kent is low, partly because many would-be sellers were holding off until after the referendum, Mr. Sweeting said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold off until", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the delay and the specific event or time that will trigger the action. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "hold off until" when you actually mean to communicate a complete cessation of an action. This phrase implies a temporary delay, not a permanent stop, which could lead to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold off until" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating when an action should be delayed or postponed. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in delaying or deferring something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold off until" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a delay of action until a specified time or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct and it finds frequent application across various writing contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason for the delay and the triggering event are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like ""postpone until"" or ""delay until"" exist, "hold off until" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse situations. Proper usage involves understanding its temporary nature, differentiating it from phrases that imply a permanent cessation. The phrase serves to recommend, or inform about delaying something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone until

Replaces "hold off" with a more formal term for delaying something.

delay until

Similar to "postpone until", but can also imply a shorter delay.

wait until

A more general term for not acting before a certain time.

defer until

Suggests a more formal and considered postponement.

put off until

Implies a less formal postponement, often due to reluctance.

suspend until

Indicates a temporary cessation of an action until a later time.

table until

Used in formal settings to postpone discussion or action on a matter.

shelve until

Suggests a longer-term postponement, possibly indefinitely.

refrain from until

Highlights the act of consciously abstaining from doing something until a specific time.

desist until

A more formal way of saying to cease an action until a particular moment.

FAQs

How can I use "hold off until" in a sentence?

You can use "hold off until" to indicate that an action should be delayed until a specific time or event. For example, "We should "wait until" we receive more information before making a decision".

What are some alternatives to "hold off until"?

Some alternatives to "hold off until" include "postpone until", "delay until", or "wait until", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "hold off until" or "delay until"?

Both "hold off until" and "delay until" are correct, but "delay until" might sound more formal. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "hold off until" and "wait for"?

"Hold off until" implies a deliberate decision to postpone an action, while "wait for" simply means to remain inactive until something happens. For example, "delay action until you have all the facts" versus "wait for the rain to stop".