on hold

on hold 

1. Lit. waiting; temporarily halted. The building project is on hold while we try to find money to complete it. We put our wedding plans on hold until we finished school.

2. Fig. left waiting on a telephone line. I hate to call up someone and then end up on hold. I waited on hold for ten minutes when I called city hall.

See also: hold

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on hold

if you are on hold when you are using the telephone, you are waiting to speak to someone Ms Evans is on the other line at the moment - shall I put you on hold?

See also: hold

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on hold

1. intentionally delayed The space launch is on hold until the weather clears.

Usage notes: often used in the form be on hold, as in the example

2. connected but waiting to speak to someone on the telephone Her line was busy, so the operator put me on hold.

Usage notes: often used in the form put someone on hold, as in the example

See also: hold