WordVale

hold back

to restrain; to hesitate

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to prevent something from happening or to delay something

2. (verb) to refrain from doing or saying something; to control yourself

3. (verb) to physically restrain or prevent someone from moving forward

Examples

• 1. Bad weather held back the construction project by several weeks.
• 2. She wanted to laugh but held back her feelings.
• 3. The security guards held back the crowd at the concert entrance.

How to use hold back

Hold back is a phrasal verb used when you want to express preventing, delaying, or restraining something physical, emotional, or informational. It often implies deliberate control or an external force creating resistance. It is more dynamic and personal than synonyms like 'prevent' and works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common phrases

• hold back tears
• hold back information
• hold back progress
• hold back the urge to
• nothing to hold back

Synonyms

restrain · prevent · suppress · withhold · contain

Opposites

release · let go · advance

Word family

held back · holding back · holds back

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse the two senses: emotional restraint (hold back tears) versus preventing progress (hold back development). Context makes the meaning clear, but mixing metaphorical and literal uses can create awkwardness.

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

give up, go over, go through, hold on, iron out, keep up with

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained