hold off
(a) (of rain, a storm, etc) not occur; be delayed (指雨、 风暴等)未发生, 延迟
The rain held off just long enough for us to have our picnic. 雨一时下不起来, 我们有足够的时间吃完野餐.
(b) restrain oneself from doing sth, esp attacking sb 约束自己而不做某事(尤指不攻击他人)
Let's hope the gunmen will hold off for the duration of the cease-fire. 但愿持枪歹徒在停火期间能约束自己的行动. hold sb/sth off resist (an attack or advance by sb) 阻止或挡住(某人的进攻或前进)
Though outnumbered, they held off (repeated attacks by) the enemy. 尽管寡不敌众, 他们还是抵挡住了敌人(一次又一次的进攻). hold off sth/doing sth delay sth 推迟某事物
Could you hold off (making) your decision until next week? 你可以推迟到下星期再做决定吗?