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Hold back: meaning, definitions and examples

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hold back

 

[ ˈhəʊld bæk ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

in a situation

restrain or stop oneself from doing or saying something. Refrain from advancing or transgressing.

Synonyms

control, refrain, repress, restrain, suppress

Examples of usage

  • She had to hold back tears during the emotional speech.
  • He had to hold back his anger to avoid causing a scene.
  • Don't hold back, speak your mind.
Context #2 | Verb

in a physical sense

prevent someone or something from advancing or moving. Keep something in reserve.

Synonyms

hinder, impede, reserve, restrain, withhold

Examples of usage

  • The police held back the crowd with barricades.
  • The team held back their best player for the final game.
  • Hold back some funds for emergencies.
Context #3 | Noun

in a river

a barrier or structure used to prevent the flow of a body of water.

Synonyms

barrier, dam, dyke, embankment, weir

Examples of usage

  • The hold back was built to control flooding in the area.

Translations

Translations of the word "hold back" in other languages:

🇵🇹 segurar

🇮🇳 रोकना

🇩🇪 zurückhalten

🇮🇩 menahan

🇺🇦 стримувати

🇵🇱 powstrzymywać

🇯🇵 抑える (おさえる)

🇫🇷 retenir

🇪🇸 retener

🇹🇷 tutmak

🇰🇷 억제하다

🇸🇦 يحتفظ

🇨🇿 zdržet

🇸🇰 zadržať

🇨🇳 抑制 (yìzhì)

🇸🇮 zadržati

🇮🇸 halda aftur

🇰🇿 ұстау

🇬🇪 შეკავება

🇦🇿 saxlamaq

🇲🇽 retener

Etymology

The phrase 'hold back' originated from the Old English word 'healdan' which means 'to keep, retain'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of restraining or preventing something from advancing. The term has been used in various contexts, both in a figurative and literal sense, to convey the idea of control, restraint, or prevention.