hold on a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold on a bit" is a correct expression used in both written and spoken English.
It can be used in situations when you want to ask someone to wait a short time, usually while you finish something or address another issue. Example: "I'm almost done with the report, can you just hold on a bit while I finish?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

True to an extent, but let's hold on a bit.

University of California, Berkeley

The bounty has inspired a few southern New England areas -- Sugarbush and Okemo Mountain Resorts in Vermont and Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts -- to hold on a bit longer.

The New York Times

"There are times where we need to stop and think 'Hang on a second, we can do this but what's the likely outcome if we do?' I just think we need to hold on a bit and consolidate.

Independent

C4 must also replace its stale blockbuster Big Brother in 2011 although with Celebrity Big Brother rating so well, it could be tempted to hold on a bit longer.

The Guardian

The ship date for the Vive remains this coming April — albeit HTC-Valve are now couching this as "early April," likely aiming to encourage consumers who might be tempted to pick up the Oculus to hold on a bit for the Vive instead — and get a VR headset with two controllers… Also included in the Vive $799 bundle for "a limited time" are two free games.

TechCrunch

The ship date for the Vive remains this coming April — albeit HTC-Valve are now couching this as "early April," likely aiming to encourage consumers who might be tempted to pick up the Oculus to hold on a bit for the Vive instead — and get a VR headset with two controllers… Also included in the Vive $799 bundle for "a limited time" are two free games.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The cold weather is holding on a bit in the northern cities though [with temperatures] of 3°C or 4°C during the day".

Independent

" 'Voyages' is about people trying to hold on a little bit to the memory of what they've lost".

The New York Times

"If we could have held on for a bit longer, the game could perhaps have opened up for us and we might have caught them on the counter attack".

BBC

You may have to wait on hold for a bit, but this is by far the best way to confirm with a person that your credit card is indeed canceled.

WikiHow

I am in the midst of preparing a conference paper submission, so coding is on hold for a bit.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you are speaking to someone with a high level of authority, a more polite variant might be better like "just a moment".

Common error

Avoid using "hold on a bit" in highly formal or professional contexts, such as addressing senior executives or writing official correspondence. Opt for phrases like "please wait a moment" or "allow me a moment" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold on a bit" functions as an imperative request, specifically asking someone to wait briefly. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase is a common way to politely interrupt or delay an action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold on a bit" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to politely request a brief pause or delay. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most suitable for informal settings and conversations. While "hold on a bit" is widely understood, it should be avoided in formal or professional contexts, where alternatives such as "wait a moment" or "just a moment" are more appropriate. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts, demonstrating its versatility in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait just a bit

Direct synonym with a slight emphasis on the short duration of the wait.

wait a moment

A more direct and slightly more formal way of asking someone to wait.

hang on a second

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal.

wait a second

Similar to "hang on a second" in terms of informality and immediacy.

just a moment

A polite way to ask someone to wait briefly.

give me a second

An informal way of asking for a short delay.

bear with me

Implies a request for patience, often when facing a minor difficulty.

pause for a moment

Suggests a temporary cessation of an activity or conversation.

hold the line

Typically used when asking someone to wait on the phone.

be patient

A broader request for patience, not necessarily implying an immediate wait.

FAQs

What does "hold on a bit" mean?

The phrase "hold on a bit" means to wait for a short period. It's a casual way of asking someone to pause or delay an action.

When is it appropriate to use "hold on a bit"?

It's appropriate to use "hold on a bit" in informal situations, such as talking to friends, family, or colleagues in a relaxed setting. Avoid using it in formal or professional communications.

What are some alternative phrases to "hold on a bit"?

You can use alternatives like "wait a moment", "hang on a second", or "just a moment" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "hold on a bit" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hold on a bit" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, especially in informal contexts. Ludwig confirms its correct usage based on numerous examples.