don't hold back

USAGE SUMMARY

"don't hold back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a piece of advice or encouragement to someone to not be hesitant or restrained in expressing their thoughts or feelings. Example: During the brainstorming session, the team leader urged everyone to speak their minds and not hold back any ideas, no matter how unconventional they may seem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So, don't hold back.

The New York Times

(Don't hold back, Mr. Denby).

The New York Times

Don't hold back, Ian.

The Guardian

Mexico don't hold back.

The Guardian - Sport

Don't hold back on those anchovies.

The New York Times

Don't hold back, eh, Andrew.

The Guardian - Sport

So people don't hold back.

The New York Times

Ms. Boyens: "Don't hold back, Fran.

The New York Times

"We don't hold back," Zorikh confirmed.

The New Yorker

Don't hold back, Jan. Have a guess.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't hold back," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "don't hold back" when you want to encourage someone to be open, honest, and expressive in their communication or actions. It's particularly effective in creative or brainstorming sessions.

Common error

While "don't hold back" is versatile, avoid it in highly formal or professional settings where a more nuanced or polite phrasing might be more appropriate, such as board meetings or official reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "don't hold back" functions primarily as an imperative, directly urging or encouraging someone to act without reservation. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from expressing opinions to exerting effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

34%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "don't hold back" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to encourage unrestrained expression or action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile, frequently found in news, media, and informal contexts. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, remember to consider your audience. For highly professional or formal environments, more nuanced alternatives may be preferable. Use "don't hold back" to empower and inspire those around you to fully express themselves, but always remember that other, related, alternatives exist to add variation to your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show no restraint

This directly advises against holding back, emphasizing complete freedom of expression.

speak your mind

This encourages someone to express their opinions and thoughts openly and honestly.

feel free to express yourself

This alternative emphasizes the freedom to express one's thoughts or feelings without reservation.

let it all out

This focuses on the release of emotions or thoughts that have been held back.

go all out

This phrase encourages someone to put forth their maximum effort without any limitations.

give it your all

Similar to "go all out", this suggests dedicating one's complete energy and focus to a task.

be uninhibited

This suggests acting without restraint or self-consciousness.

do not suppress

This suggests not holding down or repressing feelings.

don't be shy

This encourages openness and a lack of hesitation in expressing oneself or participating.

spare nothing

This implies using every resource available without reservation.

FAQs

How can I use "don't hold back" in a sentence?

You can use "don't hold back" to encourage someone to express their true feelings or give their best effort. For example, "In the meeting, "speak your mind" and don't hold back" or "Give it your all and don't hold back during the performance".

What's a more formal alternative to "don't hold back"?

In a formal context, you could use phrases like "please feel free to express your opinions" or "we encourage you to share your thoughts openly" instead of "don't hold back".

Is "don't hold back" appropriate in professional emails?

It depends on the context and your relationship with the recipient. It can be appropriate if you are encouraging creativity or open feedback. However, consider using a more formal alternative like "we value your honest feedback" if you're unsure.

When is it inappropriate to say "don't hold back"?

It might be inappropriate to say "don't hold back" when giving instructions that require precision and care where you do not want anyone to "go all out" because some action should be carefully performed.