hold back Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

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