Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
hold the payment
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "hold the payment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you want to express that the payment should be delayed or halted. For example: "I'm sorry, the due date for the invoice has passed, so I'm going to have to hold the payment until further notice."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Wiki
Science
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
The name on the hotel reservation would then be transferred to the buyer, and Cancelon would hold the payment in escrow until the hotel stay was completed.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
The bank, which remains 81% owned by taxpayers, said it had made the decision to hold the payments as it continues to investigate the conduct of more than 50 former and current employees.
News & Media
Trump implied on Saturday that he would hold the payments hostage to a successful Obamacare repeal bill.
News & Media
A few hours later, Ms. Bacon got an urgent e-mail message from I-Escrow, the company holding the payment.
News & Media
The Supreme Court of Illinois for many years held the payment of a tax on the net receipts was a tax on personal property.
Academia
And, as before, Sorted holds the payment until you confirm that the job is completed.
News & Media
When a freelancer takes on a job, Elance holds the payment in escrow until the work is satisfactorily completed.
News & Media
Instruct your student loan servicer in writing to apply your extra payment toward your principal loan balance (rather than holding the payment until your next monthly bill).
News & Media
It was not until Monday, after a VentureBeat story publicized the dispute, that Groupon staff told Roitman the company was holding the payment because of the refunds.
News & Media
"One key safety point is that we securely hold the guest's payment and only transfer it to the host 24 hours after the guest has checked-in successfully," says a Wimdu spokesman.
News & Media
The Netanyahu government announced that, in view of the unity deal, it would hold back the payment of tariffs collected on the Palestinian Authority's behalf.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When instructing someone to "hold the payment", clearly specify the reason and the expected duration of the hold to avoid confusion or mistrust.
Common error
Avoid simply saying "hold the payment" without providing context. Always explain why the payment is being held and what conditions need to be met for it to be released.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "hold the payment" functions primarily as a directive or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms this as a grammatically sound construction used to advise or command the temporary cessation of a financial transaction. The single exact example in Ludwig supports this function.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Academia
20%
Science
14%
Less common in
Wiki
11%
Formal & Business
10%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "hold the payment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves as a directive to temporarily stop or delay a payment. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's essential to provide context and reasons for the delay to maintain clarity and prevent misunderstandings. Alternatives such as "withhold the payment" or "suspend the payment" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the situation. When using this phrase, consider the potential legal implications and ensure all actions comply with relevant contracts and regulations. This guide has hopefully anticipated most frequent linguistic questions related to "hold the payment".
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
put the payment on hold
Informal way of saying to temporarily stop the payment.
withhold the payment
Implies a more deliberate and possibly temporary suspension of the payment.
suspend the payment
Suggests a temporary interruption of the payment, often with a plan to resume later.
delay the payment
Indicates a postponement of the payment to a later time.
defer the payment
Formally postpones the payment, often to a specified future date.
postpone the payment
Similar to delay, but can imply a more indefinite rescheduling.
table the payment
Suggests setting aside the payment for consideration at a later, unspecified time.
freeze the payment
Implies stopping the payment, often due to legal or procedural reasons.
block the payment
Indicates preventing the payment from being processed, often due to security concerns.
interrupt the payment
Suggests an unexpected stop in the payment.
FAQs
What does "hold the payment" mean in a business context?
In a business context, "hold the payment" typically means to temporarily delay or suspend the disbursement of funds to a vendor, contractor, or employee. This can occur for various reasons, such as discrepancies in invoices, ongoing disputes, or budgetary constraints.
What are some alternatives to saying "hold the payment"?
You can use alternatives like "withhold the payment", "suspend the payment", or "delay the payment" depending on the specific context and reason for pausing the transaction.
When is it appropriate to "hold the payment"?
It's appropriate to "hold the payment" when there's a legitimate reason to question the validity or accuracy of the payment request. This could include discrepancies in invoices, incomplete work, or breaches of contract.
What are the legal implications of "holding the payment"?
The legal implications of "holding the payment" depend on the specific agreements and laws governing the transaction. It's crucial to review contracts and consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance and minimize the risk of disputes or litigation. Documenting the reasons for "delaying the payment" is also essential.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested