This video explains the meaning and use of the phrasal verb 'hold off' in English. We show you how to use it with some easy examples to help you learn this phrasal verb so you can use it in spoken and Business English.
When someone challenges you to something, but they lose, you’ve held them off. Let’s say you’re enjoying a nice picnic, but some dark clouds are beginning to show, you could pack up and leave, or stay and hope the rain holds off. When you fend someone off, or fight them off, this also means to hold them off; so the professional boxer uses his arms to hold off the attacks from the opposing boxer. If you need to wait to do something at a later time, you can hold off until the time suits you. This phrasal verb is very popular in both social and professional environments, so don’t hold off using it - use it today!