back
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?
back
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. 2005