hold back
[verb]
Synonyms: restrain, bit, bridle, check, constrain, curb, hold down, hold in, inhibit, withhold, keep, detain, hold, keep back, keep out, reserve, retain, deny, abstain, refrain

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

hold back phrasal verb (see also hold)

1. hold somebody/something ↔ back to make someone or something stop moving forward:
Police in riot gear held back the demonstrators.

2. hold something ↔ back to stop yourself from feeling or showing a particular emotion:
She struggled to hold back her tears.
Anger flooded through her. She couldn’t hold it back.

3. hold somebody/something ↔ back to prevent someone or something from making progress:
They felt the British economy was being held back by excessive government controls.

4. hold (somebody) back to be unwilling to do something, especially because you are being careful, or to make someone unwilling to do something:
In the current situation many investors are holding back.
She wanted to tell him but pride held her back.

5. hold something ↔ back to keep something secret:
Tell me all about it – don’t hold anything back!

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

hold back
hold (something) back
to keep something secret.
They talk about everything and hold back nothing.

hold back (from (doing something))
to avoid doing something.
Unable to hold back, we screamed with laughter.

We were worried about viewers' reactions, so we held back from broadcasting the show.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hold something back
hold (something) back
to keep something secret.
They talk about everything and hold back nothing.

hold back (from (doing something))
to avoid doing something.
Unable to hold back, we screamed with laughter.

We were worried about viewers' reactions, so we held back from broadcasting the show.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hold back
1. • hold back
stay back or away, show unwillingness to do something
He always holds back during meetings and never says anything.

2. • hold back (someone)
prevent someone from doing something
The police officers tried to hold back the angry woman.

3. • hold (something) back
keep information or something to or for oneself
Our boss is holding back the information about the new computer system.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hold something back
• hold (something) back
keep information or something to or for oneself
Our boss is holding back the information about the new computer system.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

hold back
v.
1. To stay back or away; show unwillingness.
The visitor tried to gel the child to come to her, but he held back.
John held back from social activity because he felt embarrassed with people.
2. To keep someone in place; prevent from acting.
The police held back the crowd.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲