hold back
transitive verb phrase1. (to restrain)
a. contener
Judy couldn't hold back her tears at her son's wedding.Judy no pudo contener las lágrimas en la boda de su hijo.
2. (to withhold)
a. no revelar
Alan held back key information from the defense that would have exonerated the accused.Alan no reveló información clave a la defensa que hubiera exonerado al acusado.
b. ocultar
The government held back the results of its investigation for fear of causing a scandal.El gobierno ocultó los resultados de la investigación por miedo a provocar un escándalo.
c. guardarse
She held back the announcement of her resignation until the end of the speech.Se guardó el anuncio de su renuncia hasta el final del discurso.
3. (to impede progress of)
intransitive verb phraseThe constant infighting among the directors held back the completion of the project.La constante lucha interna entre los directores impidió el avance de la finalización del proyecto.
4. (to refrain)
a. contenerse
The president held back from endorsing any candidate.El presidente se contuvo de respaldar a cualquier candidato.
b. refrenarse
Ronda held back on organizing the kitchen, since she knew her sister would change everything around.Ronda se refrenó de organizar la cocina, ya que sabía que su hermana cambiaría todo de lugar.
hold back
transitive verb phrase1. (person, emotion)
a. contener
2. (progress, project)
intransitive verba. impedir el avance de
he's holding something backse está guardando algo
3. (refrain)
a. contenerse
to h back from doing somethingabstenerse de hacer algo
hold back
transitive verb
(keep) guardar; retener; (stop) [+river, flood] retener; [+progress] refrenar; [+information] ocultar; no revelar; [+names] no comunicar; [+emotion, tears] reprimir; contener are you holding sth back from me? ¿me estás ocultando algo?; to hold o.s. back from doing sth refrenarse de hacer algo
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