hold back

Học thuật
Thân thiện
hold back

She had to hold back her laughter during the serious meeting.

Definition

  1. Verb (Transitive):

    • To restrain or prevent the progress, development, or expression of something or someone: To keep something under control or to stop someone from advancing or acting.
    • To keep something in reserve; to not use or give all of something: To retain a portion for later.
    • To keep something secret or hidden: To refrain from disclosing information.

  2. Verb (Intransitive):

    • To hesitate or show reluctance to act or speak: To refrain from doing something due to doubt, fear, or discretion.
Examples of Usage

  • Verb (Transitive):

    • The police erected barriers to hold back the crowd. (To restrain from advancing)
    • He couldn't hold back his tears any longer. (To prevent the expression of)
    • The company decided to hold back some funds for future emergencies. (To keep in reserve)
    • She held back the truth during the interview. (To keep secret)

  • Verb (Intransitive):

    • Don't hold back—tell us what you really think. (To hesitate to speak)
    • He wanted to volunteer but held back because he was shy. (To show reluctance to act)
Advanced Usage

  • "To hold someone/something back": This phrasal structure emphasizes the act of restraint.

    • His lack of confidence is holding him back in his career. (Preventing his progress)
    • The dam holds back millions of gallons of water. (Prevents the water from flowing)

  • "To hold back on (something)": To be cautious or sparing in the use or provision of something.

    • The government is holding back on announcing new policies until after the election. (Refraining from)
    • Don't hold back on the details; we need to know everything. (Don't be sparing with)
Variants and Related Words
  • Withhold (verb): To refuse to give or grant something that is due or requested. (e.g., )
  • Restrain (verb): To prevent someone or something from doing something; to keep under control. (e.g., )
  • Reserve (verb): To retain for future use. (e.g., )
Synonyms
  • Restrain, curb, check, suppress, inhibit, retain, reserve, withhold, conceal.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Hold off (on): To delay doing something.
    • Let's hold off on making a decision until we have more data.
  • Hold in: To keep one's emotions under control.
    • She was furious but managed to hold it in during the meeting.
Related Idioms
  • "Hold your horses": Used to tell someone to stop, wait, or be patient.
    • Hold your horses! Let me finish explaining first.
  • "Hold your tongue": To refrain from speaking.
    • I had to hold my tongue during the argument to avoid making it worse.
hold back

She had to hold back her laughter during the serious meeting.

Verb
  1. hold back; keep from being perceived by others
    • She conceals her anger well
  2. secure and keep for possible future use or application
    • The landlord retained the security deposit
    • I reserve the right to disagree
  3. wait before acting
    • the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment
  4. refrain from doing
    • she forbore a snicker
  5. keep under control; keep in check
    • suppress a smile
    • Keep your temper
    • keep your cool
  6. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
    • Arrest the downward trend
    • Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
    • Contain the rebel movement
    • Turn back the tide of communism

Từ đồng nghĩa