hold on a second

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold on a second" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to politely ask someone to wait for a brief moment while you finish a task or look for something. For example: "Hold on a second, let me just get my keys so we can leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But hold on a second, tough guy, no one can affect you, even yourself.

WikiHow

"Seve said: 'Just hold on a second.

The New York Times

And hold on a second.

The Guardian - Music

Actually, hold on a second.

The Guardian - Books

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, hold on a second.

The Washington Post

A: Well, hold on a second.

The New York Times

"I said, 'Well, hold on a second.

The New York Times

I'm like, hold on a second.

The Guardian - Sport

Q: Why -- (inaudible) -- PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, hold on a second.

The New York Times

Q: What should the unemployed in particular... A: Well, hold on a second.

The New York Times

But hold on a second.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold on a second" when you need a brief pause to collect your thoughts, find something, or address an immediate interruption. It is suitable for both casual conversations and more formal settings where a brief delay is acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using "hold on a second" excessively in formal presentations or written communication. While it's acceptable in moderation, frequent use can make you sound unprepared or unprofessional. Consider using more formal alternatives like "please allow me a moment" or "I will be with you shortly" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold on a second" functions as an interjection or imperative request. It is used to politely ask someone to pause or wait briefly. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold on a second" is a common and generally acceptable way to ask someone to wait briefly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While prevalent in various contexts, including news, media, and informal settings, it may be wise to opt for more formal alternatives in professional or academic communications. Alternatives like ""wait a moment"" or ""just a moment"" can convey a similar meaning with a slightly more polished tone. Remember to avoid overuse, as frequent repetition can diminish its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait a moment

Slightly more formal and concise.

hang on a sec

More informal and abbreviated version.

just a moment

Slightly more polite and formal.

give me a second

Focuses on the speaker needing time.

bear with me a moment

More formal and implies potential inconvenience.

wait just a second

Adds emphasis on the brevity of the wait.

hold the line

Specifically used when speaking on the phone.

wait up

Informal, often used to ask someone to stop walking.

let me see

Indicates a pause for thought or consideration.

please wait

Direct and polite request to wait.

FAQs

What does "hold on a second" mean?

The phrase "hold on a second" means to wait for a very short amount of time, usually implying the speaker needs to pause briefly for some reason.

What can I say instead of "hold on a second"?

You can use alternatives like "wait a moment", "just a moment", or "give me a second" depending on the context.

Is "hold on a second" appropriate in formal situations?

While generally acceptable, in very formal situations, it might be better to use phrases like "please allow me a moment" or "I will be with you shortly".

How can I use "hold on a second" in a sentence?

You might say, "Hold on a second, let me grab my notes," or "Can you hold on a second? I need to answer this call".