Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [hohld bak]
- /hoʊld bæk/
- /həʊld bæk/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hohld bak]
- /hoʊld bæk/
Definitions of hold back words
- verb with object hold back to elude or evade by a sudden shift of position or by strategy: to dodge a blow; to dodge a question. 1
- verb with object hold back Also, hold back. Photography. (in printing) to shade (an area of a print) from exposure for a period, while exposing the remainder of the print in order to lighten or eliminate the area (sometimes followed by out). Compare burn1 (def 45). 1
- verb without object hold back to move aside or change position suddenly, as to avoid a blow or get behind something. 1
- verb without object hold back to use evasive methods; prevaricate: When asked a direct question, he dodges. 1
- noun hold back a quick, evasive movement, as a sudden jump away to avoid a blow or the like. 1
- noun hold back an ingenious expedient or contrivance; shifty trick. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of hold back
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English holden, Old English h(e)aldan; cognate with Old Frisian, Old Norse halda, Old Saxon, Gothic haldan, Old High German haltan (German halten)
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Hold back
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
hold back popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
hold back usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for hold back
verb hold back
- bit — A bit of something is a small part or section of it.
- bridle — A bridle is a set of straps that is put around a horse's head and mouth so that the person riding or driving the horse can control it.
- check — Check is also a noun.
- control — Control of an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
- curb — If you curb something, you control it and keep it within limits.
Antonyms for hold back
verb hold back
- acquaint — If you acquaint someone with something, you tell them about it so that they know it. If you acquaint yourself with something, you learn about it.
- adventuring — the act of doing adventurous things or having adventures
- animadvert — to comment with strong criticism (upon); make censorious remarks (about)
- be-held — simple past tense and past participle of behold.
- bring — If you bring someone or something with you when you come to a place, they come with you or you have them with you.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with ho
- Words starting with hol
- Words starting with hold
- Words starting with holdb
- Words starting with holdba
- Words starting with holdbac
- Words starting with holdback