hold back

British  

verb

1. to restrain or be restrained

2. (tr) to withhold

   he held back part of the payment

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noun

1. a strap of the harness joining the breeching to the shaft, so that the horse can hold back the vehicle

2. something that restrains or hinders

hold back Idioms  

1. Also, keep back.

2. Retain in one's possession or control, as in He held back vital information , or I managed to keep back my tears . [First half of 1500s]

3. Restrain one-self, as in She held back from joining the others , or I wanted to denounce him right there, but I kept back for fear of making a scene . The first usage dates from the second half of the 1500s, the variant from the early 1800s.

4. Impede the progress of, as in The barriers held back traffic during the funeral procession , or Her daughter was kept back and had to repeat first grade .

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Example Sentences

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic did not hold back when asked about his feelings on where the furore surrounding Southampton's activities left his own side.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

“This mosque for my community members is a second home,” Hassane said, pausing to hold back tears.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

“Recent increases for long-term interest rates will continue to hold back home buyer demand,” Robert Dietz, the trade group’s chief economist said in a statement.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

MarketWatch: Investors once again are faced with a decision to either chase the stock-market rally or hold back.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

The German army was now closing in on Moscow, and hundreds of thousands of Red Army soldiers were desperately trying to hold back the invaders.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein