hold back

To stop someone or something from moving forward or making progress.

• The wall holds back the water.
• Police held the crowd back.
• Poor transport links are holding back the town’s development.

How to use it: hold someone/something back (A lack of money held the project back.); hold someone back from doing something (Fear held him back from applying for the job.)

Similar words: restrain, stop, hinder

Opposites: release

Common phrases: hold back water, hold someone back

To avoid using all your strength or expressing everything you feel.

• Do not hold back.
• He held back during the practice fight.
• Why are you holding back when we need your best effort?

How to use it: hold back from doing something (She held back from telling him what she really thought.)

Similar words: restrain yourself

Common phrases: hold back slightly, hold back from something

To keep something in place and prevent it from moving forward.

• The dam holds back water.
• A low wall held back the soil.
• Can this gate hold back the rising river?

How to use it: hold back something (The barrier holds back the floodwater.)

Similar words: restrain, contain, stop

Opposites: release

Common phrases: hold back water, hold something back

To stop yourself from saying or doing something, especially to keep information secret.

• Do not hold back the truth.
• He held back his worries for months.
• Is she holding back information about the accident?

How to use it: hold back something (She held back some important details.); hold back from doing something (I held back from mentioning his mistake.)

Similar words: withhold, keep to yourself

Opposites: reveal

Common phrases: hold back information, hold something back

To make a student repeat a school year instead of moving to the next class.

• The school held him back.
• She was held back because she missed many lessons.
• Will they hold your son back a year?

How to use it: hold someone back a year (The school held him back a year.); be held back in a grade (She was held back in second grade.)

Similar words: keep back

Opposites: promote

Common phrases: hold someone back, hold back students