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

See Examples For:

hold back

New dams and debris basins turned the vast natural waterways and springs and creeks of old L.A. into a chutes-and-ladders system to divert and hold back water and mud, before the next time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

"He was broken and he was just crying," she said, struggling to hold back her own tears, recalling their first phone call after his arrest.

From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026

But the brewing storm over the reversal and the halftime show caused him to hold back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

He came in for particular adulation from both fans and pundits following the semi-final loss to Argentina, making several key tackles as England attempted to hold back the attacking tide of their opponents.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

I sniff and try to hold back my tears, but I can’t.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi