hold back

v 1: 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 SE Asia"; "Contain the rebel

movement" [syn: {check}, {turn back}, {arrest}, {stop},

{contain}]

2: keep under control [syn: {restrain}, {keep}, {keep back}]

3: wait before acting [syn: {wait}, {hold off}]

4: keep in one's possession [syn: {retain}, {hold}, {keep back}]

5: hold back; keep from being perceived by others, as of

emotions or expressions of emotions; "She conceals her

anger well" [syn: {conceal}, {hold in}]