What is meaning of 'hold up' and 'hold off'?

[Dugan]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #213 "What comes next (the bill)", question 6

I see. So what you are saying is ..........

(a) I'm holding up your trade
(b) I'm holding off your trade
(c) I'm holding on your trade
(d) I'm holding in your trade

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #213 "What comes next (the bill)", answer 6

I see. So what you are saying is I'm holding up your trade.

Correct answer: (a) I'm holding up your trade

Your answer was: incorrect
I see. So what you are saying is I'm holding on your trade.
_________________________

What is meaning of hold up and hold off?

Dugan

[Alan]

Hi,

Hold off is stop yourself from doing something as in: I wanted to complain but I held off saying anything because I didn't want to make a fuss.

Hold up means delay as in: We were held up for 2 hours on our journey because the traffic was very slow.

A
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Are you fancy free?