restrain emotion
She tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.
hold back — 3 meanings
Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.
phrasal verb3 meanings
hold backsame phrase
Which one do you mean?
withhold information
He didn't want to hold back any details from his team.
impede progress
A lack of investment is holding back the country's economic growth.
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Meanings in detail
1. restrain emotion
B1neutralboth
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.
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B2neutralboth
to deliberately not share something, such as information, feelings, or opinions
He didn't want to hold back any details from his team.
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C1neutralboth
to prevent someone or something from making progress, developing, or achieving their full potential, often used in reference to obstacles, limitations, or external factors.
A lack of investment is holding back the country's economic growth.
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