hold back
restrain emotion
to stop yourself from showing your feelings, especially strong emotions like anger, sadness, or excitement
She tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.
"hold" — same verb, different meanings · Part 1 of 2
Phrasal verbs built on "hold" — same verb, but the particle changes the meaning. Pick the one that fits.
hold
back
hold backto stop yourself from showing your feelings, especially strong emotions like anger, sadness, or excitementShe tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.
down
hold downto manage to keep a job for a period of time, especially when it is difficult or challenging.It's impressive that she can hold down two jobs while studying full-time.
off
hold offto deliberately wait before doing something, especially to delay making a decision or taking action, often because you are waiting for a better moment or more information.We decided to hold off on buying a new car until next year.
on
hold onto wait for a short time, often used when asking someone to pause or not to go ahead yet.Hold on, I'll check if he's in his office.
hold down
keep a job
to manage to keep a job for a period of time, especially when it is difficult or challenging.
It's impressive that she can hold down two jobs while studying full-time.
hold off
delay acting (especially making a decision or starting something)
to deliberately wait before doing something, especially to delay making a decision or taking action, often because you are waiting for a better moment or more information.
We decided to hold off on buying a new car until next year.
hold on
wait briefly
to wait for a short time, often used when asking someone to pause or not to go ahead yet.
Hold on, I'll check if he's in his office.