Definition

Verb: 1. To withhold; to refuse to give or share something. To deliberately not give something that is due, expected, or requested. 2. To retain; to hold or keep something for potential future use. To keep something in one's possession instead of releasing or using it. 3. To restrain or control; to prevent something from being expressed or happening. To hold back a feeling, reaction, or person.

Examples of Usage

• Withhold Meaning:
  • The teacher decided to keep back the test results until she could speak to each student individually.
  • The company kept back a portion of his salary for taxes.
• Retain Meaning:
  • It's wise to keep back some emergency savings.
  • I always keep back a few tomatoes from the harvest to save seeds for next year.
• Restrain/Control Meaning:
  • She could barely keep back her tears during the emotional speech.
  • The police officers worked to keep back the crowd from the accident scene.

Advanced Usage

• "To keep something/someone back": This structure is common, specifying what is being withheld or restrained.
  • He kept the shocking news back from his family.
  • The dam kept the floodwaters back.

Variants and Related Words

• Withhold (verb): To refuse to give something. Often used interchangeably with the first meaning of "keep back."
• Retain (verb): To continue to have or hold something. A more formal synonym for the second meaning.
• Restrain (verb): To prevent someone or something from doing something. A core synonym for the third meaning.
• Detain (verb): To keep someone from leaving; to delay.

Synonyms

• Hold back: (Can be used in all three contexts, very similar in meaning).
• Reserve: (For the "retain" meaning).
• Suppress: (For the "control/restrain" meaning, especially for emotions).
• Conceal: (For the "withhold" meaning, especially information).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hold back: Very similar and often interchangeable with "keep back" in all its meanings.
  • He held back the report. (Withhold)
  • Hold back your anger.* (Restrain)
• Keep down: To control or limit something, especially costs, prices, or rebellion.
  • The government tried to keep down inflation.

Related Idioms

• Keep a tight rein on: To control something or someone very strictly.
  • The manager keeps a tight rein on the department's budget.
• Bite one's tongue: To stop oneself from saying something.
  • I had to bite my tongue to keep back a rude comment.

Verb

1. hold back; refuse to hand over or share
   • The father is withholding the allowance until the son cleans his room
2. secure and keep for possible future use or application
   • The landlord retained the security deposit
   • I reserve the right to disagree
3. keep under control; keep in check
   • suppress a smile
   • Keep your temper
   • keep your cool