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.

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