1.
If you hold back or if something holds you back , you hesitate before you do something because you are not sure whether it is the right thing to do.
The administration had several reasons for holding back...
Melancholy and mistrust of men hold her back.
PHRASAL VERB : V P , V n P
2.
To hold someone or something back means to prevent someone from doing something, or to prevent something from happening.
Stagnation in home sales is holding back economic recovery...
Jake wanted to wake up, but sleep held him back.
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , V n P
3.
If you hold something back , you keep it in reserve to use later.
Farmers apparently hold back produce in the hope that prices will rise.
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , also V n P
4.
If you hold something back , you do not include it in the information you are giving about something.
You seem to be holding something back.
PHRASAL VERB : V n P
5.
If you hold back something such as tears or laughter, or if you hold back , you make an effort to stop yourself from showing how you feel.
She kept trying to hold back her tears...
I was close to tears with frustration, but I held back.
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , V P , also V n P