hold fire


Also found in: Idioms.

hold fire

In air defense, an emergency order to stop firing. Missiles already in flight must be prevented from intercepting, if technically possible.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
References in periodicals archive ?
But with Easter Road chairman Rod Petrie holding out for PS3million for McGinn, Celtic are content to hold fire.
Summary: It's imperative the onus is on the warring parties to hold fire and let the truce consolidate.
THE Bank of England is expected to hold fire on hiking interest rates next week, putting off its long-anticipated increase after economic growth almost ground to a halt.
No doubt we will know if they will they hold fire following their party conference?
No prices on whether the hosts have learned to spell poor Lemmy Garde's name - best hold fire on those tattoos, Villa fans...
The graphic reminds Americans to have smoke alarms on every floor, hold fire drills, keep fire extinguishers handy and install carbon monoxide and radon detectors.
Wellington orders his men to hold fire, as Napoleon flees, defeated.
Until then McLaren have to hold fire on making an announcement, with the choice appearing a straight one as to whether they opt for young gun Kevin Magnussen or the more experienced Button.
After initially rejecting an Israeli offer on Saturday for a 24-hour truce, Hamas said yesterday it agreed to hold fire ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
After initially rejecting an Israeli offer on Saturday for a 24-hour truce, Hamas said on Sunday it agreed to hold fire ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.