hold back meaning and definition

HOLD BACK verb

Definition of hold back (verb)

1. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
   • "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism"
   • synonyms: arrest, check, contain, stop, turn back
2. keep under control; keep in check
   • "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"
   • synonyms: keep, keep back, restrain
3. refrain from doing
   • "she forbore a snicker"
   • synonyms: forbear
4. wait before acting
   • "the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment"
   • synonyms: hold off, wait
5. secure and keep for possible future use or application
   • "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
   • synonyms: hold, keep back, retain
6. hold back; keep from being perceived by others
   • "She conceals her anger well"
   • synonyms: conceal, hold in