hold back
1. To physically restrain someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "back." I held him back so that he didn't run after her. Hold me back, otherwise I'm gonna punch this clown right in the face! You should be thanking your friends—they held you back and kept you from getting in a bar fight!
2. To not do something to the fullest extent that one can. Don't hold back on the court—I don't want you to let me win. No need to hold back now, winter! My new coat can withstand your blizzards! Don't hold back on my account—I'm not afraid of you or anyone else in this tournament!
3. To obstruct someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "back." Your fears are really holding you back in life. The levee is holding back the floodwaters, for now. Molly is bright and full of potential, but I'm afraid her anxiety is holding her back.
4. To keep something in one's possession. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "back." I held back some of the money, so we still have some cash left. Hey, hold back some of those blankets. I know you want to give them away, but I could use them in the barn. It's hard to hold back any money when so much of your paycheck is earmarked for medical bills.
5. To withhold someone or something (from something). In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "out." I heard that Sarah's parents are holding her back from play rehearsals because she has the mumps. Hold these pink cupcakes back for now—there's more than enough already on the table. I know they'd prefer to hire someone with a college degree, so hold back all the other résumés for now.
6. To require a student to repeat a grade of school. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "hold" and "back." Am I really being held back? I don't want to repeat junior year—can't I go to summer school or something? We may have to hold you back a year if you don't pass this test. Some kids I knew were held back in kindergarten because they just weren't ready—say, socially or developmentally—to advance to first grade.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hold (someone, something, or an animal) back (from someone or something)
to restrain someone, something, or an animal from getting at or getting to someone or something. The parents held the children back from the cake and ice cream until the hostess said she was ready. Please hold back your dog.
hold back (on something)
to withhold something; to give or take only a limited amount. Hold back on the gravy. I'm on a diet. That's enough. Hold back. Save some for the others.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
hold back
Also, keep back.
1. 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]
2. 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.
3. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hold back
v.1. To restrain someone or something: The principal held back the bully. We held the dog back when the guests arrived.
2. To retain something in one's possession or control: The witness held back valuable information. I held my tears back when I heard the bad news.
3. To impede the progress of someone or something: Your interference is holding me back from completing the job. The manager's incompetence held back the staff from meeting their sales quota.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.