Definition of "hold off" []

• To delay someone or something temporarily; to keep at bay. (verb)
• To delay commencing (an action until some specified time or event has passed). (verb)
• To delay commencing an action (until some specified time or event has passed). (verb)

Wiktionary.org : Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

• "A few hours later, the Brits called Jim Timbie on my staff to say that, having now read the Iranian “side letter,” they were asking Iran not to announce the “deal,” but to hold off until at least the next day."
• "Churkin asked that we hold off action until after the Arab League meeting on Monday, and, to my amazement, de La Sablière immediately agreed."
• "The ministers did say they would welcome what they call "informal voluntary" roll-overs by Greek bond holders, meaning that those who hold Greek debt would hold off demanding payment."