hold something back Definition

hold¹
verb held, holding

1. To have or keep something in one's hand or hands; to grasp.

Thesaurus: grasp, clutch, embrace, clench, squeeze, press, secure, handle, cling to; Antonym: let go, release.
2. To have something in one's possession.

Thesaurus: possess, keep, retain, have, own.
3. To think or believe.

Thesaurus: believe, adhere to, maintain, accept, presume, regard, judge; Antonym: deny.
4. To retain or reserve.

Example: They can hold reserved seats for a week
tr & intr
5. To keep or stay in a specified state or position.

Example: hold firm
Thesaurus: support, sustain, brace, prop, stay, shoulder, uphold.
intr
6. To remain perfectly in position, especially when under pressure.

Example: The bridge can't hold any longer
7. To detain or restrain.

Example: They held him at the airport for two hours
8. To contain or be able to contain.

Example: This bottle holds three pints
9. To conduct or carry on.

Example: hold a conversation
Example: hold a meeting
10. To have (a position of responsibility, a job, etc).

Example: held office for two years
Example: held a good job
11. To have or possess.

Example: holds the world record
12. To keep or sustain (a person's attention).
13. To affirm or allege.

Example: He holds that he is right
14. To maintain one's composure and awareness, and not suffer any bad effects, even after large amounts of (alcohol).

Example: She can hold her drink
intr
15. Said of good weather: to continue.

Thesaurus: persist, endure, continue, last.
16. To consider to be; to think or believe.
intr
17. To continue to be valid or apply.

Example: That attitude doesn't hold any more
Example: The law still holds
18. To defend from the enemy.
19. To cease or stop.

Example: hold fire
20. music.
To continue (a note or pause).
intr
21. Said of a telephone caller: to wait without hanging up while the person being called comes on the line.
22. Said of the future, regarded as a force: to have in store or readiness

Example: Who knows what the future holds?

noun

1. The act of holding; a grasp.
2. A power or influence.

Example: They have a hold over him
Thesaurus: authority, influence, sway, grasp, leverage, control, mastery, pull, weight, footing, clout (slang).
3. A way of holding someone, especially in certain sports, eg judo.
4. A place of confinement; a prison cell.
5. An object to hold on to.

Idiom: get hold of someone

colloq
To manage to find and speak to them.

Idiom: get hold of something

To find, obtain or buy it.

Idiom: hold good (hold true)

To remain true or valid; to apply.

Idiom: hold one's own

Said of someone who is ill: to maintain a stable condition.

Idiom: hold one's peace (hold one's tongue)

To remain silent.

Idiom: keep hold of someone or something

To continue to hold on to them or it.

Idiom: no holds barred

Not observing any fair rules; having no restrictions.
Thesaurus: unrestrained, unrestricted, without rules.

Idiom: on hold

In a state of suspension; temporarily postponed.
Example: She put the trip on hold

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon healdan.

Phrasal Verb: hold back

To hesitate; to restrain oneself.

Phrasal Verb: hold someone back

To restrain them from doing something.

Phrasal Verb: hold something back

To keep it in reserve.To hesitate.

Phrasal Verb: hold someone down

To control their freedom; to restrain them.

Phrasal Verb: hold something down

To manage to keep it
Example: hold down a job.

Phrasal Verb: hold something in

To restrain or check it.

Phrasal Verb: hold off or hold off doing something

To delay or not begin to do it; to refrain from doing it
Example: I hope the rain holds off
Example: hold off making a start.

Phrasal Verb: hold someone off

To keep an attacker at a distance.

Phrasal Verb: hold on

To wait, especially during a telephone conversation.

Phrasal Verb: hold on!

An exclamation requesting the other person to wait.

Phrasal Verb: hold on to something

To keep or maintain it in one's possession.To keep a strong hold or grip on it.

Phrasal Verb: hold out

To stand firm, especially resisting difficulties
Example: held out against the enemy.
To endure or last.

Phrasal Verb: hold something out

To offer it, especially as a promise or inducement
Example: held out the prospect of a pay rise.

Phrasal Verb: hold out for something

To wait persistently for something one wants or has demanded.

Phrasal Verb: hold out on someone

To keep back money, information, etc from them.

Phrasal Verb: hold something over

To postpone or delay it.

Phrasal Verb: hold someone or something up as something

To exhibit them or it as an example of some quality, attribute, etc
Example: held them up as models of integrity.

Phrasal Verb: hold someone up

To delay or hinder them.To stop and rob them.

Phrasal Verb: hold something up

To support it.To delay or hinder it. See also hold-up.

Phrasal Verb: hold with something

To endorse or approve of it.