Hold back from Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhoʊɫd/ /ˈbæk/ /ˈfɹəm

HOHLD-BAK-frum

UK

hˈəʊld/ /bˈæk/ /fɹˈɒm

HOHLD-BAK-from

Definition

To stop yourself from doing something you want to do, often because of fear, doubt, or restraint.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used for emotional or impulsive actions ('hold back from crying', 'hold back from saying something'). Slightly formal or reflective; 'hold back' alone also means 'restrain' but 'hold back from' specifies what is being stopped.

• Spanish: contenerse de - evitar
• Portuguese (BR): conter-se de - evitar
• Portuguese (PT): conter-se de - evitar
• Chinese (Simplified): 忍住 - 抑制
• Chinese (Traditional): 忍住 - 抑制
• Hindi: रोकना (खुद को) - बचना
• Arabic: يمنع نفسه عن - يكبح نفسه عن
• Bengali: নিজেকে বিরত রাখা - আটকে রাখা (কিছু করা থেকে)
• Russian: сдерживаться - удерживаться
• Japanese: 〜するのをこらえる - 〜するのを我慢する
• Vietnamese: kiềm chế bản thân không (làm gì) - ngăn mình không (làm gì)
• Korean: 참다 - 억제하다 (하고 싶은 것을)
• Turkish: kendini tutmak - geri durmak (bir şey yapmaktan)
• Urdu: باز رکھنا (کچھ کرنے سے) - اپنے آپ کو روکنا
• Indonesian: menahan diri dari - menahan untuk (melakukan sesuatu)

Example Sentences

I had to hold back from laughing in class.

basic

She couldn't hold back from crying when she heard the news.

basic

Try to hold back from eating too much candy.

basic

Sometimes you just can't hold back from saying what you feel.

natural

He managed to hold back from making a rude comment during the meeting.

natural

It's tough to hold back from spending money when there are sales everywhere.

natural