Meaning trap
hold back
impede progress
to prevent someone or something from making progress, developing, or achieving their full potential, often used in reference to obstacles, limitations, or external factors.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to prevent someone or something from making progress, developing, or achieving their full potential, often used in reference to obstacles, limitations, or external factors.
'hold back' also has the more basic meaning 'restrain emotion'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- A lack of investment is holding back the country's economic growth.progress
- While many factors contribute to educational inequality, it is often a lack of resources that holds back students from disadvantaged backgrounds.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: hold back + noun / hold back + from + -ing
WrongDon't let fear to hold you back.
RightDon't let fear hold you back.
After 'let', use the bare verb — 'let fear hold you back', not 'to hold'.
Patternhold back + noun / hold back + from + -ing
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Hold (someone) back' is the natural way to say what's limiting them. 'Impeded his advancement' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
hold + backhold you backheld the team backwhat's holding her backnothing
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense ('restrain emotion'), this sense is not about controlling feelings. Unlike the B2 sense ('withhold information'), it does not involve deliberately keeping something secret. Here, 'hold back' refers to something that prevents progress or achievement.
Related
- hold back (restrain emotion) — 'hold back' also has the more basic meaning 'restrain emotion'; this is the advanced sense.