hold back (
http://definr.com/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"; "Turn back athe tide of communism" [syn:
check,
turn back,
arrest,
stop,
contain]
2: keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep
your temper"; "keep your cool" [syn:
restrain,
suppress,
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]