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