kept back
Not let go
Kept back means withheld or retained rather than released or given freely.
Information can be kept back from the public; tears can be kept back through effort.
In educational contexts, a student kept back is held in the same grade for another year rather than advancing: He was kept back in third grade.
To keep back can also mean to stay at a distance: The police told the crowd to keep back.
- heldKept in grasp
- postponedMoved to a later date
- hoardedCollected and concealed
- under wrapsDeliberately kept hidden
- curtailedCut short prematurely
reined in · blocked · concealed · delayed · cordoned · restrained · stalled · inhibited · suppressed · impeded · hindered · obstructed · suspended · paused · reserved · on hold · slowed · deferred