making someone wait; keeping in suspense
Often used for pets made to wait before eating, or for people kept in anticipation. Common in the phrase お預けを食う (to be made to wait).
I told the dog 'wait' and made it wait before eating.
He feels like he's been left hanging after his date canceled at the last minute.
Used for plans, decisions, or events being delayed. Slightly colloquial; 延期 is more formal.
The travel plans are on hold for now.
The promotion talk has been postponed.
Standard polite prefix お + 預け (from 預ける). The kanji spelling is normal.
Formal or literary spelling using 御 for お. Rare in modern everyday writing.
From the polite prefix お + 預け, the noun form of 預ける (to leave something in someone's care). Originally referred to leaving something with someone, then developed the sense of 'keeping someone waiting' from the idea of holding something back.