hold back from
phr. v..phr. v.. to stop yourself from doing or saying something that you want to do.
phr. v.. to exercise self-restraint or hesitation in performing an action; often implies a conscious decision to refrain due to fear, politeness, or uncertainty.
I wanted to shout, but I held back from saying anything.
She held back from buying the expensive dress because she knew she had to save money for rent.
Despite his intense frustration with the committee's decision, the director held back from criticizing his colleagues in the public forum.
- Particles
- back from
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- hold + back + from + object
usually followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun phrase.
contrast with 'refrain from' (more formal) and 'hesitate' (focuses on the delay rather than the restraint); emphasize that 'from' is necessary when an action follows.
He held back from to tell the truth.He held back from telling the truth.the preposition 'from' must be followed by a gerund (-ing) rather than an infinitive.