hold back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Giving evidence in court on Wednesday, her son initially struggled to compose himself, holding back tears as he complained of being "hassled" by the press since he was three years old.

From BBC

"But if you have questions during inspection to the line, we give each other information, pretty much without holding back," he maintained.

From Barron's

Head coach Eddie Howe certainly did not hold back in the away dressing room as he made a triple change at half-time.

From BBC

They were now downstream of the dam, but what they hadn’t realized was that it would hold back the seasonal floods that had once ensured yearly prosperity in the Lower Volta.

From Literature

As her kids struggle to hold back their reactions, lest she swing back the other way, her husband just wants to go to Red Robin for his birthday scoop.

From Los Angeles Times