hold back

See also: holdback

English

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Verb

hold back (third-person singular simple present holds back, present participle holding back, simple past and past participle held back)

  1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
    Don't hold back. Hit it as hard as you can.
  2. (idiomatic, transitive) To contain; stop.
    The dam can't hold back that much water.
    • 2011 January 8, Chris Bevan, “Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds”, in BBC:
      Fabregas coolly slotted home after Ben Parker held back Theo Walcott and only a super Kasper Schmeichel save stopped Denilson winning it for the Gunners.
  3. (idiomatic, transitive) To delay the progress of, especially in school.
    He's a year older than his classmates, because he was held back in second grade.
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