held back

Definition of held back in English English dictionary
held back his laughter: restrained his laughter, did not laugh despite his desire to do so
held back his curiosity: restrained his curiosity, did not pry despite his eager desire to know
held back his tears: did not cry despite his desire to do so, controlled his tears
hold back: to delay, especially in school
He's a year older than his classmates because he was held back in second grade.
hold back: to act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power
Don't hold back. Hit it as hard as you can.
hold back: to contain; stop
The dam can't hold back that much water.
hold back: 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 Sout East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism"
hold back: If you hold back or if something holds you back, you hesitate before you do something because you are not sure whether it is the right thing to do. The administration had several reasons for holding back Melancholy and mistrust of men hold her back
hold back: wait before acting
hold back: If you hold something back, you do not include it in the information you are giving about something. You seem to be holding something back
hold back: If you hold back something such as tears or laughter, or if you hold back, you make an effort to stop yourself from showing how you feel. She kept trying to hold back her tears I was close to tears with frustration, but I held back
hold back: hold back; keep from being perceived by others; "She conceals her anger well"
hold back: An amount of money retained by a construction lender or owner until satisfactory completion of the work performed by a contractor
hold back: Portion of a construction loan withheld by a lender from a contractor until all construction work is satisfactorily completed or sufficient space is leased in a floor loan
hold back: keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"
hold back: secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
hold back: To hold someone or something back means to prevent someone from doing something, or to prevent something from happening. Stagnation in home sales is holding back economic recovery Jake wanted to wake up, but sleep held him back
hold back: withhold, fail to provide; hesitate, avoid participation; restrain; retain ownership
hold back: If you hold something back, you keep it in reserve to use later. Farmers apparently hold back produce in the hope that prices will rise
hold back: encumber
hold back: cumber
hold back: constrain
hold back: restrain