Can you hold?

Can you hold?

A question asked when one answering the phone needs to put the caller on hold. Let me see if he's in his office—can you hold?See also: can

Could you hold?

 and Can you hold?; Will you hold?Do you mind if I put your telephone call on hold? "Could you hold?" asked the operator. Sue: Hello. Acme Motors. Can you hold? Bob: I guess. Sue (after a while): Hello. Thank you for holding. Can I help you?See also: could