hold back
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle back
Meanings
Stop yourself from doing or saying something
Why “back”? Something is prevented from moving, growing, or being expressed. It can also remain available as a backup.
“She held back her tears.”
“He held back a laugh.”
Prevent someone or something from progressing
“His shyness holds him back.”
“Poor internet held the class back.”
Refuse to give information or feelings
“He's holding something back.”
“She's holding something back about the accident.”
Don't confuse with
Hold back means stop yourself from doing or saying something. Hold over means postpone something to a later time.
Test yourself
“She held back her tears.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hold over
A contrast learners often mix up
Postpone something to a later time
bite back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from saying something that you really want to say
choke back
Same back pattern: holding
Suppress an emotion welling up
cut back
Same back pattern: holding
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
fall back
Same back pattern: holding
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
fight back
Same back pattern: holding
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
hang back
Same back pattern: holding
Hesitate to take part
keep back
Same back pattern: holding
Withhold information or feelings
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