Cool MateHold on vs Stop you there
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold on
Top 2,000 (common)
Stop you there
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Hold on
| Hold on | Stop you there | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ɒn//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //stɒp jʊ ðeə//🇺🇸 //stɑp ju ðɛr// |
| Meaning | Wait a moment | To interrupt someone while they are speaking. |
| Example | Please hold on while I check the information. | Let me just stop you there, I have a question about that. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | hold on a second, hold on tight, hold on the line | stop you there, let me stop you, I must stop you |
| Antonyms | rush, hurry, advance | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hold up' which means to delay, Using it in very formal contexts where 'please wait' is better, Not using it as a standalone phrase | Used too formally in a business meeting., Misplaced when interrupting someone politely., Confused with 'hold on' as less urgent. |
| Usage notes | Use 'hold on' when asking someone to wait briefly. It's appropriate in casual conversations but can be used in more formal situations as well. Avoid in very formal writing. | Used in casual conversation to pause or redirect someone's thoughts. Not typically used in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold on vs Stop you there
What's the difference between Hold on and Stop you there?
Hold on: Wait a moment Stop you there: To interrupt someone while they are speaking.
Which is more formal: Hold on and Stop you there?
Hold on is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold on: Please hold on while I check the information. Stop you there: Let me just stop you there, I have a question about that.
Can I use Hold on and Stop you there interchangeably?
Not always. Hold on and Stop you there are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.