# hold one's fire

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hold-ones-fire
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Wait, don't retaliate, calm down, be quiet.

## Examples

- Hold your fire and listen before you reply.
- The manager told everyone to hold their fire until they had heard the full explanation.
- Though provoked by the harsh criticism, the diplomat chose to hold his fire, knowing that a measured response would serve him better.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.