- keep back
- phrasal verb
Word forms "keep back":
present tense I/you/we/they keep back he/she/it keeps back present participle keeping back past tense kept back past participle kept back1) [transitive] to not tell someone something, or to not show how you feelHe said he was fine, but I knew he was keeping something back.
2) [transitive] to keep part of an amount of money that belongs to someone or is owed to themHe kept back £50 for himself.
3) [intransitive/transitive] to not move towards someone or something, or to stop someone from doing thisPolice were warning people to keep back.
A barrier had been erected to keep back the crowds.
4) [transitive] to prevent someone from making progressIt's only her lack of confidence that's keeping her back.
5) [transitive] to keep part of something so that you can use it laterKeep back some strawberries for decoration.
6) [transitive] if you keep back laughter or tears, you stop yourself laughing or cryingShe struggled to keep back her tears.
English dictionary. 2014.