What is "hold off"

vb. 1 (context idiomatic transitive English) To delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay. 2 (context idiomatic transitive English) To delay commencing (an action until some specified time or event has passed). 3 (context idiomatic intransitive English) To delay commencing an action (until some specified time or event has passed).

1. v. fight to a stand-off; "Dallas had enough of a lead to hold the Broncos back"

2. wait before acting [syn: wait, hold back]