hold over: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral, with some uses common in media, business, and legal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “hold over” mean?
To postpone or delay something to a later time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To postpone or delay something to a later time; to retain something from a previous time period.
To maintain a position of influence or power beyond the expected or usual term; to show or broadcast something again; to threaten or intimidate someone with knowledge of a past misdeed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'threaten with past misdeed' meaning is strongly associated with American English, particularly in crime/political contexts. The 'postpone' meaning is universal, but 'carry over' is a frequent synonym in British financial contexts.
Connotations
In BrE, primarily temporal. In AmE, can have a more sinister, coercive connotation.
Frequency
More frequent in AmE overall due to its broader range of meanings.
Grammar
How to Use “hold over” in a Sentence
NP hold over NPNP hold NP over NPNP be held overhold over NP as NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hold over” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council will hold the planning application over until the next meeting.
- He's a minister holding over from the previous government.
American English
- They tried to hold the scandal over him during the election.
- The film was held over for a second week due to high demand.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Project deadlines are often held over to the next quarter.
Academic
The tenure of the committee chair was held over for an additional year.
Everyday
Let's hold dinner over until your sister arrives.
Technical
The software update was held over due to compatibility issues.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hold over”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hold over”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hold over”
- Incorrect: *They decided to hold over the concert. (Ambiguous without context) Correct: They decided to hold the concert over until next week.
- Confusing 'hold over' with 'put over' or 'get over'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. The noun and adjective are typically one word ('holdover'). The verb phrase is two words ('hold over').
'Hold over' often implies a formal or scheduled postponement to a specific later time. 'Put off' is more general and informal, and can imply reluctance.
Yes, especially in entertainment ('The play was held over by popular demand') or when referring to valuable traditions or personnel retained from the past.
Context is key. Look for a direct object (what is being postponed?) and a possible indirect object (who is being threatened?). The 'threaten' meaning usually has a person as the indirect object.
To postpone or delay something to a later time.
Hold over is usually formal to neutral, with some uses common in media, business, and legal contexts. in register.
Hold over: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊld ˌəʊvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊld ˌoʊvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold it over someone's head”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a theatre sign saying "Held Over By Popular Demand" – the show is kept/continued for longer than planned.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (moving an event to a later point on a timeline); POWER/INFLUENCE IS PHYSICAL CONTROL (holding something over someone's head).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'hold over' imply a threat?