hold off 1. (使)保持一定距离，(使)不接近；阻止；抵挡住 The ship will have to hold off from the shore until this storm passes. 在风暴没过去前，船不得不与岸保持一段距离。 His high rank and chilly manner held people off. 他的高贵官阶及冷淡态度使人们不敢接近他。 They held off the attacks of a numerically superior enemy. 他们抵挡住在人数上占优势的敌军的进攻。 2. 推迟，拖延；(雨等)不下 He tried to hold off making decisions. 他试图推迟作出决定。 The rain holds off. 雨暂时不会下。