hold back

hold back(

)

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (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)

a. impedir el avance de

The 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.

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g. Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

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

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (person, emotion)

a. contener

2. (progress, project)

a. impedir el avance de

he's holding something backse está guardando algo

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

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

verb:intransitive:plus_adverb

refrenarse; (in doubt) vacilar

to hold back from refrenarse de; to hold back from doing sth refrenarse de hacer algo

I could hardly hold back from

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples