hold (something) in abeyance

hold (something) in abeyance

To delay or suspend something. How long do you think they will hold the decision in abeyance? I'm eager to know what they think. I know you want to hold this case in abeyance, but you're going to have to take it up eventually. Watch, they'll hold the funding in abeyance for as long as they can, and then we'll be scrambling if our research project is approved at the last minute!

See also: abeyance, hold

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hold something in abeyance

to stall or postpone something. This is a good plan but not at this time. Let's just hold it in abeyance until things get better. We will hold the matter in abeyance until we hear from you.

See also: abeyance, hold

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.