keeping back
Not letting through
Keeping back means withholding or restraining.
You might keep back information by not revealing it: She suspected he was keeping something back.
You can keep back tears or emotions by suppressing them.
Keeping back also means physically restraining: Police struggled to keep back the crowd.
The phrase implies deliberate effort to prevent release or forward movement.
Keeping something secret
- hidingStaying out of sight
- suppressingForcibly restraining or inhibiting
- retainingHolding onto still
- omittingFailing to include
censoring · redacting · stonewalling · evasion · secrecy · nondisclosure · cover-up · tight-lipped
Ability to restrain impulses
- restraintControl over impulses
- curbingLimiting or restraining
- checkingAct of verification
- reining inExercising control over
suppression · containment · inhibition · discipline · moderation · temperance · willpower · repression
Accumulated money kept
- stockpileAccumulated reserve supply
- hoardHidden accumulated valuables
- cacheConcealed storage spot
- stashHidden reserve
reserve · fund · nest egg · rainy day · set aside · put away · earmark · allocation
Supporting or delaying
- detainingHolding in custody
- impedingBlocking forward motion
- hinderingCreating obstacles to progress
- slowing downReducing pace or velocity
obstructing · stalling · retarding · blocking · hampering · restraining · stopping · barring
concealing
Keeping something secret
- hidingStaying out of sight
- suppressingForcibly restraining or inhibiting
- retainingHolding onto still
omitting · censoring · redacting · stonewalling · evasion · secrecy · nondisclosure · cover-up · tight-lipped · cagey
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
reining in · suppression · containment · inhibition · discipline · moderation · temperance · willpower · repression · stifling
savings
Accumulated money kept
stash · reserve · fund · nest egg · rainy day · set aside · put away · earmark · allocation · provision
holding up
Supporting or delaying
slowing down · obstructing · stalling · retarding · blocking · hampering · restraining · stopping · barring
keeping backreleasing
Allowing to escape
disclosing · revealing · divulging · telling · sharing
keeping backletting go
Releasing one's grasp
releasing · freeing · setting free · unleashing · letting loose
keeping backgiving away
Transferring without payment
distributing · handing out · dispersing · doling out · parting with
keep, keeping, keeps, kept, keeper, keepers, back, backs, backed