1. A method for managing a dialog between an interactive system and a user configured to provide a prompt comprising one or more phrases comprising the steps: audibly providing to the user a first portion of said prompt wherein said prompt comprises one or more phrases; detecting an audible input at the interactive system wherein said audible input potentially is speech response from the user, said audible input detected during the provision of the prompt; determining an audible input onset time during the prompt when onset of said audible input is detected by said interactive system; starting a HoldTimeOut timer at the interactive system upon detecting said audible input; and determining a HoldTimeOut timer duration wherein said HoldTimeOut time duration is associated with said detection time, wherein said interactive system performs one of: continues to audibly provide to the user a remaining portion of said prompt while said HoldTimeOut timer duration has not been reached, or terminates providing said prompt to the user when said HoldTimeOut timer duration has been reached.