hold him back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold him back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to physically restraining someone or preventing someone from acting or moving forward in a situation. Example: "As tensions rose during the argument, I had to hold him back to prevent things from escalating further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Did it hold him back?

The Guardian - Sport

"Hopefully, his age won't hold him back".

The New York Times - Sports

The old politics won't hold him back.

The New York Times

Gibbs, however, will not let that hold him back.

Independent

But he is not letting government inaction hold him back.

The New York Times

Of course, the years don't hold him back one bit.

The Guardian - Film

"Things that had held me back wouldn't hold him back.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tippoo's instinct was not to accompany Stanley but to hold him back.

The New Yorker

"The only thing that could hold him back is if something happens to his health.

The New York Times - Magazine

The conservatives, backed by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader, hold him back.

The Economist

He can go so deep that you need to hold him back a bit.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold him back", consider the specific context. Is it physical restraint, preventing progress, or limiting potential? Choose the most precise wording for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "hold him back" when a more specific verb better captures the type of restraint. For instance, use "discourage him" instead of "hold him back" if it's about influencing a decision, or "detain him" if it is about legal actions. The former helps avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold him back" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, where "hold" is the verb and "back" is the particle. It's used to describe the act of restraining or preventing someone or something from progressing physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

The Guardian

1%

The Economist

1%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold him back" functions as a common phrasal verb used to describe either physical restraint or the prevention of progress or achievement. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. The primary function is to communicate a limiting action, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. Alternatives like "restrain him" or "hinder him" can offer nuanced expressions depending on the specific context. It's important to consider the specific scope of restraint, be it physical, emotional, or developmental, to choose the most precise phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrain him

This alternative directly implies physically or metaphorically preventing someone from proceeding.

hinder him

This suggests impeding progress or action, focusing on creating obstacles.

impede him

This emphasizes slowing down or obstructing someone's advancement.

obstruct him

This highlights blocking or preventing movement or progress.

curb him

This indicates limiting or controlling someone's actions or behavior.

check him

This suggests stopping or slowing someone down, often temporarily.

constrain him

This implies limiting someone's freedom or ability to act.

inhibit him

This suggests suppressing or preventing an action or feeling.

prevent him from advancing

This explicitly states stopping someone from moving forward.

keep him from progressing

This focuses on preventing forward movement or development.

FAQs

How is "hold him back" used in a sentence?

The phrase "hold him back" is a phrasal verb that can be used in various contexts. It can refer to physically restraining someone, preventing them from progressing, or limiting their potential. For example, "I had to hold him back from fighting", "His injury might hold him back from competing", or "Don't let fear "hold you back" from pursuing your dreams".

What's another way to say "hold him back"?

Alternatives for "hold him back" include "restrain him", "hinder him", "impede him", or "prevent him from advancing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "hold him back"?

Yes, "hold him back" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Ludwig AI also confirms this. It is a common phrasal verb with clear meanings related to restraint and prevention.

When should I use "hold him back" versus another phrase?

Use "hold him back" when you want to express the idea of preventing someone from moving forward, either physically or metaphorically. If you mean to slow someone's progress, consider "impede him". If you mean to limit someone's potential, perhaps "stifle him" is more apt.