hold back (/hoʊld bæk/)
verb · Intermediate · Common Verbs
🔊 /hoʊld bæk/
Meaning
Meaning: restrain
To stop yourself or someone from doing something, or to keep something secret.
Examples
🗣 She held back her tears during the speech.
Etymology
From ‘hold’ plus ‘back’, meaning to restrain movement or expression.
How & Where It’s Used
Used for restraining emotion or action.
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Tags: phrasal-verb