hold in check

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold in check" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "to restrain or control." Example: He was able to hold in check his anger while speaking to the CEO.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He also questioned whether the media "did enough to hold in check" the increasingly sophisticated political machines of each party.

The Guardian

Jim Stearns, Seattle: Was there not a time when a congressman would hold in check an attack upon a major U.S. foreign policy until the president completed a foreign visit and returned to the United States?

The New York Times

This lineup seems too talented to hold in check for long.

The New York Times

First, the failure to hold in check Labour's own drive towards the privatisation of commissioning.

The Guardian - Opinion

Journalists just about managed to hold in check derisive smirks at the press conference launching Trimble's candidature.

The Guardian

It envisions new forms of community not based on a suffocating nationalist embrace supposedly designed to hold in check the avaricious intentions of America and Israel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Madison and Jefferson pushed forward the Bill of Rights to hold in-check a strong central government that might strip personal liberties from its citizens--the whole point of the Boston Tea Party and Revolution that followed, after all.

Huffington Post

Mutual suspicion was held in check.

The Economist

How is this held in check?

The Guardian - Opinion

*Reserve officers should be held in check to respond later.

The New York Times

Tempers long held in check began to flare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold in check", ensure the subject being restrained is clearly defined. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hold in check" when a complete stop or elimination is intended. This phrase suggests temporary or partial restraint, not total cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold in check" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It indicates the action of controlling, limiting, or restraining something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold in check" is a grammatically sound and usable idiomatic phrase that means to restrain or control. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the phrase appears with reasonable frequency in diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While it's most often found in news and media contexts, writers should ensure they use it when the intent is to convey temporary or partial restraint, not complete elimination. Alternatives like "keep under control" or "restrain" may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control

Emphasizes having power over something to direct its actions or manage its behavior.

restrain

Highlights the act of holding back or preventing someone or something from acting freely.

keep under control

Focuses on maintaining control over something to prevent it from escalating or becoming unmanageable.

contain

Implies preventing something from spreading or expanding.

keep within bounds

Emphasizes staying within certain limits or restrictions.

curb

Implies restraining or limiting something, often a strong impulse or activity.

moderate

Focuses on keeping something within reasonable limits; avoiding extremes.

limit

Focuses on setting a maximum quantity or degree.

inhibit

Emphasizes hindering or slowing down a process or action.

suppress

Suggests forcibly putting an end to something, like a rebellion or emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "hold in check" in a sentence?

You can use "hold in check" to describe the act of restraining or controlling something. For example, "The government is trying to hold inflation in check".

What's the difference between "hold in check" and "keep under control"?

"Hold in check" often implies a more temporary or precarious restraint, while "keep under control" suggests a more sustained and firm management.

What are some alternatives to "hold in check"?

Alternatives include "restrain", "curb", "limit", or "contain", depending on the specific context.

Is "holding in check" grammatically correct?

Yes, "holding in check" is a grammatically correct variation, often used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing act of restraint or control. For example, "They are holding in check their enthusiasm until the project is complete".