Lexis Rex Home



English Phrase of the Day

hold back



Definitions

English > English
hold back
     1. v. (idiomatic, intransitive) To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
           Don't hold back. Hit it as hard as you can.
     2. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To contain; stop.
           The dam can't hold back that much water.
     3. v. (idiomatic, transitive) To delay the progress of, especially in school.
           He's a year older than his classmates, because he was held back in second grade.
Analysis
hold
     1. v. To grasp or grip.
           Hold the pencil like this.
     2. v. To contain or store.
           This package holds six bottles.
     3. v. To maintain or keep to a position or state.:
back
     1. adj. (not comparable) Near the rear.
           Go in the back door of the house.
     2. adj. (not comparable) Not current.
           I’d like to find a back issue of that magazine.
     3. adj. (not comparable) Far from the main area.

Example Sentences

As I continued to pour out my heart in this letter, I could barely hold back the tears, in fact I couldn't, and a couple actually dropped onto the letter and smudged the ink. 
The studio anchors are no better, struggling most of the time to hold back the glee of being on air at such a time. 



Review Previous Phrases






Subscribe to Phrase of the Day
Email: