holds back

Verb

hold back (third-person singular simple present holds back, present participle holding back, simple past and past participle held back)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
   • Don't hold back. Hit it as hard as you can.

   Synonyms:

   pull punches

2. (idiomatic, transitive) To contain; stop.
   • The dam can't hold back that much water.
3. (idiomatic, transitive) To delay the progress of, especially in school.
   • He's a year older than his classmates, because he was held back in second grade.