Englishfor English speakers

hold back English

Meaning hold back meaning

What does hold back mean?

Definitions in simple English

hold back Expression

— To hold back is to stop yourself from saying or doing something. Holding back keeps something secret. He held back his problems for many years, not telling anyone. — If an object holds back something, it stops it from moving. A dam can hold back a lot of water. — If someone is held back in school, they do not move on to the next grade. He is old for his grade because he was held back.

hold back

— verb (= check, turn back, arrest, contain) 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 — verb (= keep) keep under control; keep in check suppress a smile Keep your temper keep your cool — verb (= conceal) hold back; keep from being perceived by others She conceals her anger well — verb (= forbear) refrain from doing she forbore a snicker — verb (= wait, hold off) wait before acting the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment — verb (= retain) secure and keep for possible future use or application The landlord retained the security deposit I reserve the right to disagree

Synonyms hold back synonyms

What other words have the same or similar meaning as hold back?

hold back English » English

restrain keep back check stop refrain detain suppress retain withhold prevent hinder brake impede hold off hold in repress hold hang up delay curb control obstruct keep from keep inhibit hold up forbear avoid turn back stem resists keep in intercept halt contain conceal block arrest wait stifle squelch slow down restrain oneself oppress keep down hang back hamper grudge deter decelerate

Topics hold back topics

What do people use hold back to talk about?

Social behavior Social activity Come together, form a group

Participate

What words describe a person's stance toward a group?

for against opposed hold back be on the fringes

States Time Speed

Slow

What words refer to causing someone to do something slowly?

slow (someone) down hold back restrain delay hold up

Are you looking for...?

hold | back