keep back

verb

1. tr to refuse to reveal or disclose
2. to prevent, be prevented, or refrain from advancing, entering, etc

Idioms and Phrases

see hold back .

Example Sentences

While the bison do help keep back some of the invasive grasses, Dennhardt explains that they create wallows and cause erosion.

From National Geographic

Oxfam said it understood workers' frustrations, but that its reserves had fallen, and it needed to keep back funds to weather financial shocks.

From BBC

Capitol police said its officers were “working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street” in southeast Washington.

From Washington Times

Capitol Police said its officers were "working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting".

From Reuters

Of that, the State Department said the administration would withhold $85 million that it said it was legally obligated to keep back given Egypt’s lack of progress on some specific rights, including regarding political prisoners.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• adjourn
• bar
• block
• defer
• detain
• hamper
• hold
• impede
• keep
• obstruct
• postpone
• prevent
• prolong
• put off
• restrict
• shelve
• stall
• stay
• suspend
• withhold