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Phrasal verbs "hold back" vs "keep back"

Differences between hold back and keep back

Hold back usually means to restrain or prevent someone or something from moving forward, while keep back generally means to hold something or someone in reserve or to not reveal something.

Meanings and Definitions: hold back vs keep back

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.

Keep back

  • 1Maintain a safe distance.

    The police told the crowd to KEEP BACK from the fire.

Usage Examples: hold back, keep back 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.

keep back

Example

Please keep back from the edge of the cliff.

Example

She keeps back from the aggressive dog.

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 a lid on

To keep something under control or hidden.

Example

He tried to keep a lid on his anger during the argument.

bite one's tongue

To refrain from speaking or expressing one's thoughts or feelings.

Example

She had to bite her tongue during the interview to avoid saying something inappropriate.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Keep back

reserve for later

To save or set aside something for future use or consumption.

Example

She decided to reserve some of the cake for later instead of eating it all at once.

hold in reserve

To keep something available for future use or need.

Example

The company decided to hold some funds in reserve for unexpected expenses.

keep under wraps

To keep something secret or hidden from public knowledge.

Example

The new product launch was kept under wraps until the official announcement.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “keep”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: hold back or keep back?

In daily conversation, people use hold back more often than keep back. This is because hold back is used for more common situations such as holding back tears or emotions, while keep back is used less frequently and often in more formal contexts.

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

Keep back is slightly more formal than hold back. It is often used in business or academic contexts when discussing information or resources that are being kept in reserve. Hold back is informal and can be used in everyday conversations with friends and family.

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

The tone of hold back and keep back can differ based on context. Hold back often carries a negative connotation when related to restraining or preventing someone or something, while keep back typically has a neutral or positive tone, especially when referring to holding something in reserve or not revealing information.

hold back & keep back: Synonyms and Antonyms

Keep back

Synonyms

Antonyms

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