
IdiomDaily Life
English
put something on hold
Meaning: To postpone something; on the phone, to make someone wait without hanging up.
Example: “They put the renovation on hold until spring.”
Origin: From telephones: from the mid-20th century a caller could be "put on hold," kept on the line but waiting. The phrase soon spread to postponing any plan or activity.
More English idioms
- on one's last legs About to die, fail, or collapse.
- on the blink Not working correctly.
- on the fritz Not working correctly.
- on the wagon To abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages because one cannot control oneself.
- one fell swoop One quick, sweeping action.
- open book A person who hides nothing about themselves.
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