hold that thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold that thought" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to put a pause on a certain idea that you or someone else has expressed. For example: "We should consider splitting the cost between us - hold that thought - let's go over the other options first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"HOLD THAT THOUGHT!" He whacks on a Sam Smith record, then he's back.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If you're wondering how a tartine lover came to embrace gluten-free cooking, hold that thought.

Huffington Post

As they enter the workroom for the first time, Rafael muses, "it's like you can feel the energy of everyone that's been there before you almost like the continuation of a legacy" (Hold that thought, guy with the weird goatee whose name we will mostly surely be forgetting...Spoiler Alert).

Huffington Post

Vodka is easier to make — hold that thought — yet fails the hipness test.

The New York Times - Food

Then she says something like, 'Hold that thought' " — and excused herself to go the bathroom.

The New York Times - Arts

One can not both hold that thought and admit the obvious — how lucky and life-saving the jamming was.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

In one form, it is held that thought involves operations on symbols in virtue of their physical properties.

SEP

Clifford also held that thoughts and feelings could be constituted simply by way of combination.

SEP

It also holds that thoughts and actions must be physical (monism, or token-identity).

SEP

CBT holds that thoughts and attitudes determine a person's mood rather than external events.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

Hold that wishful thought.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold that thought" when you need a brief interruption, but intend to return to the original topic. It signals that you value the speaker's contribution and plan to revisit it.

Common error

Avoid using "hold that thought" to abruptly end a conversation or dismiss someone's idea permanently. It should only be used when you genuinely intend to return to the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold that thought" functions as an interjectory phrase used to temporarily suspend a conversation or train of thought. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, highlighting its role in managing conversational flow.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Hold that thought" is a frequently used idiomatic phrase that serves as a conversational tool to pause a speaker with the intent of returning to their point later. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and common in English. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase offers a practical way to manage conversational flow. When using "hold that thought", ensure you genuinely plan to revisit the topic, as misusing it can come across as dismissive. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "can we come back to that" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a second

A more general expression to ask someone to stop what they are doing or saying.

wait a moment

This alternative offers a more direct and concise way to ask someone to pause.

pause for a second

This alternative is less idiomatic, offering a more literal request for a brief interruption.

let's put a pin in that

This phrase is a more informal idiom for temporarily shelving a topic.

can we come back to that

This suggests a guaranteed return to the subject at hand.

let's table that discussion

More formal, indicates postponing a discussion to a later time.

keep that in mind

Shifts the focus to remembering a point rather than pausing the conversation.

bear that in mind

Similar to 'keep that in mind' but with a slightly more formal tone.

remember that point

Directs the listener to retain a specific idea.

don't forget what you were saying

Implies a need to ensure the speaker resumes their thought later.

FAQs

How can I use "hold that thought" in a sentence?

You can use "hold that thought" when you need to pause a conversation briefly. For example, "I was about to explain the process – "hold that thought" – the phone is ringing."

What's a less informal alternative to "hold that thought"?

For a more formal setting, consider using phrases like "can we come back to that" or "let's table that discussion", which suggest a more structured approach to pausing a conversation.

Is "hold that thought" appropriate for written communication?

"Hold that thought" is more common in spoken language. In written communication, it's better to use a more explicit transition, such as "I'll return to this point later" or "We'll revisit this issue in the next section".

What's the difference between "hold that thought" and "keep that in mind"?

"Hold that thought" asks someone to pause speaking, with the implication that they will resume later. "Keep that in mind" asks someone to remember a point for future consideration but doesn't necessarily mean they'll continue discussing it immediately.