Avoid default outputs with Hold[ ]?

Questions
,
1

As an example of what I input and receive:

In[1]:= f[x_] := x^2 + 2

In[2]:=f[x]

Out[2]:=Hold[f[x]]

How can I get mathematica to display the function instead of " Hold[f[x]] "?

Edit 1:
A test yields:

In[279]:= f[x_]:=2*x^2
In[280]:= f[x]
Out[280]= Hold[f[x]]
In[282]:= ReleaseHold[Hold[f[x]]]
Out[282]= Hold[f[x]]
In[281]:= 2*3
Out[281]= 6
In[283]:= ReleaseHold[f[x]]
Out[283]= Hold[ReleaseHold[f[x]]]

Edit 2: After a lot of frustration I took the nuclear option. A complete reinstall fixed the issue.

2

You can try with HoldForm[f[x]].

3

Sorry, I probably misunderstood.

4

My guess is you had set $Post=Hold at some time.