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hold back — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
hold back
1restrain emotion2withhold information3impede progress

Meaning 1 · most common

restrain emotion

  • hold back sth

to stop yourself from showing your feelings, especially strong emotions like anger, sadness, or excitement

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.

A: Are you okay? You look upset.
B: I'm fine, just trying to hold back my emotions.

Common mistake

Not: He held his anger back inside.

Say: He held back his anger.

'Hold back + emotion'. 'Inside' is redundant.

More on “restrain emotion”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In stressful situations, I sometimes find it hard to hold back my frustration, especially when things don't go as planned.

Tell it apart

She held back the tears.

  • restrained them

The injury held back his progress.

  • impeded it

Goes with

  • hold back + emotion
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Next meaning: withhold information

Meaning 2

withhold information

  • hold back sth

to deliberately not share something, such as information, feelings, or opinions

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

He didn't want to hold back any details from his team.

A: Did you tell your boss everything?
B: No, I held back some of the problems until I had a solution.

Common mistake

Not: Don't hold back nothing.

Say: Don't hold anything back. / Don't hold back.

Avoid the double negative — 'don't hold anything back'.

More on “withhold information”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I believe it's important not to hold back your ideas in a group discussion, as sharing different opinions can lead to better results.

Tell it apart

I think she's holding something back.

  • withholding info

She held back her tears.

  • restrained emotion

Goes with

  • hold back + info
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Next meaning: impede progress

Meaning 3

impede progress

  • hold back sth

to prevent someone or something from making progress, developing, or achieving their full potential, often used in reference to obstacles, limitations, or external factors.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

A lack of investment is holding back the country's economic growth.

A: Why hasn't the team finished the project yet?
B: Honestly, outdated software has really held them back.

Common mistake

Not: Don't let fear to hold you back.

Say: Don't let fear hold you back.

After 'let', use the bare verb — 'let fear hold you back', not 'to hold'.

More on “impede progress”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

While many factors contribute to educational inequality, it is often a lack of resources that holds back students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tell it apart

Don't let it hold you back.

  • limit your progress

Don't hold back — tell me.

  • withhold / restrain

Goes with

  • hold + back
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restrain emotionwithhold informationimpede progress