Grammar fix
hold off
delay acting (especially making a decision or starting something)
to deliberately wait before doing something, especially to delay making a decision or taking action, often because you are waiting for a better moment or more information.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- We decided to hold off on buying a new car until next year.daily life
- In my opinion, it's sometimes wise to hold off making a big decision until you've considered all your options.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: hold off (on) [noun/gerund]
WrongLet's hold off to buy until the sale.
RightLet's hold off on buying until the sale.
'Hold off ON + -ing', not 'hold off to + verb'.
Patternhold off (on) [noun/gerund]
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Hold off (on)' is the natural way to say wait before acting. 'Postpone making a decision' is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
hold off on + -ingon buyingon a decisionfor nowuntil later
Don't confuse it
Unlike the basic sense of 'hold off' meaning to physically keep something away (e.g., 'hold off the attackers'), this sense is about delaying your own action or decision, not stopping someone or something else.