hold off

verb

1. To delay (someone or something) temporarily; to keep at bay.

   “Let's try to hold off the lawyers until we are ready for them.”

   “The breakthrough came after 63 minutes as United’s unorthodox defence desperately tried to hold off a spell of sustained pressure.”

2. To delay commencing (an action until some specified time or event has passed).

   “Hold off (on) the decision one more day so I can answer your question.”

   “Hold off (on) baking until I get there.”