hold back

verb

1. 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 South East Asia

2. 2

   hold back; keep from being perceived by others

   She conceals her anger well

3. 3

   secure and keep for possible future use or application

   The landlord retained the security deposit

   I reserve the right to disagree

4. 4

   keep under control; keep in check

   suppress a smile

   Keep your temper

5. 5

   wait before acting

   the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment

6. 6

   refrain from doing

   she forbore a snicker