SkyfireDict

hold back   (TTS Sound)

The verb hold back has 6 senses

• check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back -- (hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism")


• restrain, keep, keep back, hold back -- (keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool")


• forbear, hold back -- (refrain from doing; "she forbore a snicker")


• wait, hold off, hold back -- (wait before acting; "the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment")


• retain, hold, keep back, hold back -- (secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree")


• conceal, hold back, hold in -- (hold back; keep from being perceived by others; "She conceals her anger well")