hold something back from somebody

  • 1hold somebody back from doing something — ˌhold ˈback (from doing sth) | ˌhold sb ˈback (from doing sth) derived to hesitate or to make sb hesitate to act or speak • She held back, not knowing how to break the terrible news. • I wanted to tell him the truth, but something held me back.… …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 2hold back — verb 1. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of (Freq. 4) Arrest the downward trend Check the growth of communism in South East Asia Contain the rebel movement Turn back the tide of communism • Syn: ↑check, ↑ …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 3hold — hold1 W1S1 [həuld US hould] v past tense and past participle held [held] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(in your hand/arms)¦ 2¦(event)¦ 3¦(keep something in position)¦ 4¦(job/title)¦ 5¦(keep/store)¦ 6¦(keep something available for somebody)¦ 7¦(keep somebody… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 4hold over — verb 1. intimidate somebody (with a threat) (Freq. 2) She was holding it over him • Hypernyms: ↑intimidate • Verb Frames: Somebody s somebody 2. hold over goods to be sold for the next season (Freq. 1) …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 5hold in — verb 1. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits (Freq. 1) moderate your alcohol intake hold your tongue hold your temper control your anger • Syn: ↑control, ↑ …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 6hold — I [[t]ho͟ʊld[/t]] PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING ♦ holds, holding, held 1) VERB When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms. [V n prep/adv] Hold the knife at an angle... [V n] She is holding her …

    English dictionary

  • 7hold down — verb 1. keep (Freq. 1) She manages to hold down two jobs • Hypernyms: ↑retain, ↑hold, ↑keep back, ↑hold back • Verb Frames: Somebody s something …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 8keep back — verb 1. keep under control; keep in check suppress a smile Keep your temper keep your cool • Syn: ↑restrain, ↑keep, ↑hold back • Derivationally related forms: ↑ …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 9pull back — verb 1. pull back or move away or backward (Freq. 1) The enemy withdrew The limo pulled away from the curb • Syn: ↑withdraw, ↑retreat, ↑pull away, ↑draw back, ↑recede, ↑ …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 10draw back — verb 1. pull back or move away or backward (Freq. 8) The enemy withdrew The limo pulled away from the curb • Syn: ↑withdraw, ↑retreat, ↑pull away, ↑recede, ↑pull back, ↑ …

    Useful english dictionary