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Phrasal verbs "hold back" vs "hold back from"

Differences between hold back and hold back from

Hold back means to restrain or prevent someone or something from moving forward or progressing, while hold back from means to refrain from doing something.

Meanings and Definitions: hold back vs hold back from

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hold back

  • 1Not show emotion.

    It was really hard to HOLD BACK the tears.

  • 2Prevent something moving forwards or progressing.

    Lack of funding HELD the project BACK.

  • 3Not disclose information or make it public.

    The government HELD BACK the findings of the report for fear of alienating voters.

Hold back from

  • 1Not allow yourself to do something.

    I had to HOLD BACK FROM losing my temper with them.

Usage Examples: hold back, hold back from in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

hold back

Example

She tried to hold back her tears during the sad movie.

Example

He holds back his anger when dealing with difficult customers.

hold back from

Example

I always hold back from arguing with my boss.

Example

She holds back from expressing her true feelings.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hold back

restrain oneself

To control or limit one's emotions or actions.

Example

She had to restrain herself from yelling at her boss during the meeting.

keep in check

To control or limit something to prevent it from getting out of hand.

Example

He had to keep his anger in check during the argument to avoid escalating the situation.

hold off

To delay or postpone something.

Example

They decided to hold off on the project until they had more resources and information.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hold back from

refrain from

To avoid or abstain from doing something.

Example

She had to refrain from eating sweets to maintain a healthy diet.

resist the urge

To fight against a strong desire or temptation.

Example

He had to resist the urge to check his phone during the meeting to stay focused.

hold oneself back

To prevent oneself from doing something.

Example

She had to hold herself back from interrupting the speaker during the presentation.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “back”

Differences in hold back vs hold back from: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: hold back or hold back from?

In daily conversation, people use hold back more often than hold back from. This is because hold back is used in a variety of situations such as holding back tears, holding back laughter, or holding back a person from doing something. Hold back from is less common and is mainly used when someone is trying to resist doing something.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of hold back and hold back from

Hold back and hold back from are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of hold back and hold back from

The tone of hold back and hold back from can differ based on context. Hold back often carries a physical or emotional tone when related to restraining or controlling something, while hold back from typically has a mental or emotional tone, especially when referring to resisting an action or behavior.

hold back & hold back from: Synonyms and Antonyms

Hold back from

Synonyms

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