hold back
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See also: holdback
English[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
hold back (third-person singular simple present holds back, present participle holding back, simple past and past participle held back)
- (idiomatic, intransitive) To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
- Synonym: pull punches
- Coordinate terms: pull back, stand back
- Don't hold back. Hit it as hard as you can.
- 2023 October 4, Mel Holley, “Network News: Conservative MPs criticise ticket office closure plans”, in RAIL, number 993, page 23:
- The TSSA union, which along with the RMT represents many of the staff affected by the closures, hasn't held back on its criticism.
- (idiomatic, transitive) To contain; stop.
- 2011 January 8, Chris Bevan, “Arsenal 1 - 1 Leeds”, in BBC[1]:
- 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.
- (idiomatic, transitive) To delay the progress of, especially in school.
- Coordinate term: set back
- He's a year older than his classmates, because he was held back in second grade.
Translations[edit]
act with reserve
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to contain; to stop
delay the progress of
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