I had to hold myself in check. (A. Cronin)
Idioms and examples. 2014.
hold — I [[t]hoʊld[/t]] v. held, hold•ing, n. 1) to have or keep in the hand; grasp: to hold someone s hand[/ex] 2) to set aside; reserve or retain: to hold a reservation[/ex] 3) to bear, sustain, or support with or as if with the hands or arms 4) to… … From formal English to slang
hold back — verb Date: 1535 transitive verb 1. a. to hinder the progress or achievement of ; restrain b. to keep from advancing to the next stage, grade, or level 2. to refrain from revealing or parting with < held back important information > intransitive… … New Collegiate Dictionary
keep oneself in hand — • to keep oneself in hand • to hold oneself in check (from Idioms in Speech) to control one s feelings, not to get angry, to be reserved, to be self contained I had to hold myself in check. (A. Cronin) See: take oneself in hand … Idioms and examples
check — [chek] n. [ME chek < OFr eschec, eschac, a check at chess, repulse < ML scaccus, scahus < Pers šāh, king, principal piece in a game of chess (see SHAH1); prob. sense development: king in danger hostile action restraining action means of… … English World dictionary
hold up — {v.} 1. To raise; lift. * /John held up his hand./ 2. To support; hear; carry. * /The chair was too weak to hold up Mrs. Smith./ 3. To show; call attention to; exhibit. * /The teacher held up excellent models of composition for her class to… … Dictionary of American idioms
hold up — {v.} 1. To raise; lift. * /John held up his hand./ 2. To support; hear; carry. * /The chair was too weak to hold up Mrs. Smith./ 3. To show; call attention to; exhibit. * /The teacher held up excellent models of composition for her class to… … Dictionary of American idioms
hold — I. /hoʊld / (say hohld) verb (held, held or, Archaic, holden, holding) –verb (t) 1. to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp. 2. to reserve; retain; set aside. 3. to bear, sustai …
hold — 1. v. & n. v. (past and past part. held) 1 tr. a keep fast; grasp (esp. in the hands or arms). b (also refl.) keep or sustain (a thing, oneself, one s head, etc.) in a particular position (hold it to the light; held himself erect). c grasp so as… … Useful english dictionary
hold — hold1 holdable, adj. /hohld/, v., held; held or (Archaic) holden; holding; n. v.t. 1. to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp: She held the purse in her right hand. He held the child s hand in his. 2. to set aside; reserve or retain: to… … Universalium
hold back — 1) if you feel like singing, don t hold back Syn: hesitate, pause, stop oneself, restrain oneself, desist, forbear 2) Jane held back her tears Syn: suppress, fight back, choke back, stifle, smother, s … Thesaurus of popular words
