'hold back' definitions:

Definition of 'hold back'

(from WordNet)
verb
Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of; "Arrest the downward trend"; "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"; "Contain the rebel movement"; "Turn back the tide of communism" [syn: check, turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back]
verb
Keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool" [syn: restrain, keep, keep back, hold back]
verb
Refrain from doing; "she forbore a snicker" [syn: forbear, hold back]
verb
Wait before acting; "the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment" [syn: wait, hold off, hold back]
verb
Secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree" [syn: retain, hold, keep back, hold back]
verb
Hold back; keep from being perceived by others; "She conceals her anger well" [syn: conceal, hold back, hold in]

Synonyms of 'hold back'

From: Moby Thesaurus