HOLD SB/STH


Meaning of HOLD SB/STH in English

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1.

to prevent sb/sth from moving forward or crossing sth :

The police were unable to hold back the crowd.

2.

to prevent the progress or development of sb/sth :

Do you think that mixed ability classes hold back the better students?

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.