hold back
Prevent from advancing
To hold back is to restrain or prevent from advancing.
You might hold back tears, hold back information, or hold back a crowd.
The phrase suggests force against a natural tendency—something wants to move forward but is being stopped: I held back from saying what I really thought.
To hold back can also mean to reserve something: They held back the best lots for preferred buyers.
Someone who holds back is being cautious or secretive, not fully committing or revealing themselves.
Raised road margin
restrict · rein in · bridle · contain · moderate · temper · regulate · govern
Obstruct or delay
- obstructBlock or hinder passage
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- thwartPrevent success of
- hamperObstruct or clothes basket
stifle · prevent · deter · inhibit · slow · delay · retard · handicap
Conceal or pelt
- keep secretNot reveal information
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- maskFace-worn concealment
- cover upConceal misdeeds or errors
keep quiet · sit on · keep mum · obscure · bury · screen · guard · shield
Temporary cessation of activity
- delayEnforced waiting period
- waitDelay until later
- falterLose momentum or steadiness
- waverHesitate or fluctuate
hesitate · demur · balk · stall · dither · vacillate · second-guess · shrink
curb
Raised road margin
constrain · restrict · rein in · bridle · contain · moderate · temper · regulate · govern · keep in check
hinder
Obstruct or delay
hamper · stifle · prevent · deter · inhibit · slow · delay · retard · handicap · stand in the way
hide
Conceal or pelt
- keep secretNot reveal information
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- maskFace-worn concealment
cover up · keep quiet · sit on · keep mum · obscure · bury · screen · guard · shield · protect
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
waver · hesitate · demur · balk · stall · dither · vacillate · second-guess · shrink · recoil
save
Protect from loss
stockpile · preserve · set aside · put aside · earmark · conserve · hoard · bank · stash · squirrel away
emotions
Psychological feeling states
- feelingsEmotional responses experienced internally
- tearsViolent pulls apart
- angerIntense hostile emotion
rage · grief · sorrow · frustration · resentment · laughter · sob · outburst · temper · jealousy
- bottling emotionsrepress, suppress, stifle, contain, restrain
- doing nothingdo nothing, stand still, sit tight, stay put, keep still
- restrainsuppress, keep in, keep down, restrain, restrict
- self-controlself-control, restraint, willpower, composure, moderation
- idlingidle, idled, loaf, loafed, laze
- silencequiet, silent, mute, hush, stillness
hold backpush forward
Proceed with determination
advance · propel · promote · encourage · accelerate