put it on hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “put it on hold” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that you will delay or pause something that you are working on. For example, "I don't have the time to work on this project right now, so I'll have to put it on hold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can take a call on one network and put it on hold when a call on the other network comes through.

The Economist

"Then put it on hold".

The New Yorker

"But I've put it on hold to help us succeed.

The New York Times - Sports

"Many families have just put it on hold".

The New York Times

What actually happened was that he put it on hold.

The Guardian - Sport

We've been engaged a few times, and we've had to put it on hold.

The New Yorker

He got pretty far into a novel once, but put it on hold.

The Washington Post

"We're going to put it on hold for another month," she said.

The Washington Post

I put it on hold and eventually rejoined, albeit later than I'd planned.

The Telegraph

They put it on hold and said they would purchase it with their decorator's approval.

The New York Times

Legislation seemed near completion earlier this year, until election acrimony put it on hold.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put it on hold" when you intend to resume the activity or project at a later time. It suggests a temporary pause rather than a permanent cancellation.

Common error

Avoid using "put it on hold" if you intend to abandon the project or activity completely. In such cases, use terms like "cancel", "abandon", or "discontinue" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put it on hold" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a temporary suspension or postponement of an activity, project, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms this based on the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put it on hold" is a very common and correct idiomatic expression used to indicate a temporary suspension or postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "defer it" or "suspend it temporarily" may be appropriate in certain settings. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intention of a temporary pause rather than a permanent cancellation. Understanding its function and communicative purpose helps ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspend it temporarily

Emphasizes a temporary interruption with the possibility of resumption later.

delay it for the time being

Highlights the postponement aspect, implying it's not permanent.

table it

A more formal term, often used in meetings to postpone a decision.

shelve it temporarily

Implies placing something aside for a later date.

defer it

Formal term indicating postponement to a future time.

put it on ice

Idiomatic expression suggesting a project is stopped, maybe indefinitely.

hold off on it

Suggests delaying action on something.

postpone it

General term for delaying something.

put it in abeyance

Formal and less common, meaning a state of temporary disuse or suspension.

interrupt it temporarily

Highlights the break in the flow of an action or activity.

FAQs

How to use "put it on hold" in a sentence?

You can use "put it on hold" to indicate a temporary suspension. For example, "Due to budget constraints, we need to "put it on hold" temporarily."

What can I say instead of "put it on hold"?

You can use alternatives like "suspend it temporarily", "delay it for the time being", or "table it" depending on the context.

Is "put it on hold" formal or informal?

"Put it on hold" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both informal and professional contexts. More formal alternatives include "defer it" or "suspend it".

What's the difference between "put it on hold" and "cancel it"?

"Put it on hold" implies a temporary suspension with the intention to resume later, while "cancel it" means to terminate it completely without any plans to restart.