- (使)不接近；(使)保持一定距离：
North Americans often hold off a certain distance in conversation, which is about 21 inches apart found by studies.
北美人在交谈时常保持一定距离的间隔，据研究发现，这种距离大约为21英寸。
- 迟疑(不做某事)，推迟(或延误)(做某事)：
The football match had to hold off for about half an hour because of a driving rain.
一场瓢泼大雨使足球比赛被迫推迟了半个小时。
She always likes to hold off for rent.
她总爱拖欠房租。
- (天气等)暂时不下(雨、雪等)；迟迟不来：
The monsoon held off for a month, then the rain fell in torrents.
雨季推迟了一个月，接着便不停地下倾盆大雨。
- 阻击，抗击；抵御：
The masses held off the aggressors with their hands.
人群赤手空拳地抗击侵略者。
The enemies yielded after holding off for an hour.
抵抗了一个小时后，敌人还是投降了。