abstain

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abstain from

To refrain from consuming something or doing some activity. Katie wants to lose weight, so she has vowed to abstain from sugar.

abstain from voting

To refrain from casting a vote for someone or something. Many argue that citizens who abstain from voting put the democratic process in jeopardy. Because I didn't like either candidate, I decided to abstain from voting for the first time in my life.

abstain from something

to avoid some activity or the use of some substance, such as alcohol, drugs, sex, or food. They abstained from hard liquor and any other kind of intoxicants.

abstain from voting

to choose not to vote either for or against a proposition or nominee. I will have to abstain from voting since I cannot make up my mind.

abstain from

To have made a deliberate choice not to do something: I abstained from eating fatty foods when I was on my diet. The minister abstained from drinking alcohol.

See also: abstain

References in periodicals archive ?

Peralta, however, said Legarda's decision to abstain 'does not matter.'

Group claims Legarda violated law with approval of son's franchise bill

across stand by will lives will lift people out of poverty and help those who are working hard to make ends meet, then what on earth is Labour for?" Sturgeon said she was "sadly" not surprised by the party's decision to abstain, adding: "It really does beg a fundamental question, if Labour is not about opposing a Tory government that is waging an ideological assault, not on skivers who don't want to work, but on people who are working hard on low incomes, if Labour is not about opposing that, what is Labour for?

"We abstained on the Bill because while there is much we disagree with, there are policies which we support - many of which the Tories have taken from us.

Kezia Dugdale said she would have abstained but Ken Macinstosh said the party should have voted against.

The clear evidence of Monday night is that the SNP are leading that opposition, while Labour sat on their hands and abstained, which was unforgivable.

If they won't oppose Tory budget attacks on the poor and vulnerable what is the point of Labour? SHAMBLES BILL FUDGE HAS SNP CLAIMING THEY'RE REAL OPPOSITION PARTY

Although the Congress has not divulged its strategy yet on the trust vote, all its four legislators are likely to abstain from the voting to help Nitish touch the majority mark in the assembly.

Trust vote to bring Congress and Nitish closer

Many countries that had previously voted with Iran abstained this year, while many countries that had abstained in previous years voted against Iran this year.

2010 2011 No 29 15 Yes 4 6 Abstain 18 31 Absent 5 4

India, which abstained last year, voted no this year.

Last year, only Saudi Arabia abstained. This year, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE all abstained.

Arabs who toppled gov'ts vote against Iran at UN

The same party abstained, the Tories carried the vote and we lost the mining industry.

BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable said he will vote in favour of increasing tuition fees, after previously claiming he would abstain. The vote to increase university fees from pounds 3,290 to pounds 6,000 or even pounds 9,000 for some courses, takes place tomorrow.

More MP-ty promises; your letters

(40) If CEO abstains from selling ABC shares at time [T.sub.2], she holds those shares until time [T.sub.3].

CEO Abstains and Trades While Aware of Inside Information

(45) The important point, however, is that if CEO merely abstains from selling when she learns good news and effects her previously planned sale when she learns bad news, she will expect, on average, to beat the market.