hold over

hold over idiom
  1. Postpone or delay, as in Let's hold this matter over until the next meeting. [Mid-1800s]
  2. Keep something in a position or state beyond the normal period, as in The film was to be held over for another week. [First half of 1900s]
  3. Continue in office past the normal period, as in The committee chair held over until they could find a suitable replacement. [Mid-1600s]
  4. hold something over someone. Have an advantage or use a threat to control someone. For example, They knew he'd been caught shoplifting and were sure to hold it over him. [Second half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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