restrain yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"restrain yourself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to control or hold back one's impulses or emotions. Example: "In order to maintain a professional demeanor, it is important to learn how to restrain yourself from reacting impulsively in difficult situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't restrain yourself".

The Guardian

But restrain yourself, and wait.

The Guardian - Books

The judge said: "The fact remains you are unable to restrain yourself from committing these offences.

Independent

"If you want to do this responsibly, you have to restrain yourself".

The New York Times - Tech

Just one request: try to restrain yourself from eating it by the spoonful.

The New York Times - Food

Restrain yourself to slices of no more than 1cm in thickness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Pei describes a "buffet" dynamic among bureaucrats, whereby "if you restrain yourself, you won't get anything to eat".

The Economist

(Masipa recently admonished attendees in an overflow courtroom, "It is not an entertainment place… Please restrain yourself").

The New Yorker

It must be terribly difficult to restrain yourself when the world around is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

The Guardian - Travel

That's why I need to do other types of films and theater — you become an actor to express yourself, and it's tough to restrain yourself all the time.

The New York Times

("It takes a good deal of self-control to restrain yourself to a silent fist-pump when your team scores," he confesses).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "restrain yourself", consider the specific impulse or emotion you're advising someone to control. Adding context clarifies the intent and makes the advice more effective.

Common error

While "restrain yourself" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in very casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "calm down" or "hold on" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restrain yourself" functions primarily as an imperative, which is used to give a command or instruction. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, showing it is used to advise or urge someone to control their actions or emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "restrain yourself" is a common and grammatically sound imperative used to advise or instruct someone to control their actions or emotions. According to Ludwig, its versatility allows it to fit into various contexts, from news reports to everyday conversations. While it's generally neutral in register, be mindful of overusing it in overly casual settings. Remember to consider the specific impulse you're addressing to provide clear and effective guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control your impulses

Focuses on managing sudden urges or desires, less about general behavior.

keep yourself in check

Suggests a need for constant monitoring and self-regulation.

hold yourself back

Implies preventing oneself from doing something one desires.

curb your enthusiasm

Specifically targets excessive excitement or eagerness.

exercise self-control

Highlights the act of exerting willpower over one's actions.

practice restraint

Emphasizes a conscious effort to be moderate or self-disciplined.

govern your actions

Stresses the importance of directing one's behavior responsibly.

temper your reactions

Advises moderating emotional responses to avoid overreactions.

moderate your behavior

Suggests adjusting one's conduct to be more socially acceptable.

show self-discipline

Highlights the ability to adhere to rules and guidelines.

FAQs

How can I use "restrain yourself" in a sentence?

You can use "restrain yourself" to advise someone to control their emotions or actions, such as, "Please "restrain yourself" from interrupting" or "You need to "restrain yourself" when you feel angry".

What is a more formal alternative to "restrain yourself"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "exercise self-control" or "practice restraint". These options convey a similar meaning with a more refined style.

When is it appropriate to use "restrain yourself"?

"Restrain yourself" is appropriate when advising someone to manage their impulses or emotions, especially in situations requiring composure or discipline. It fits well in both formal and informal settings, but context matters.

What's the difference between "contain yourself" and "restrain yourself"?

While both phrases relate to controlling one's emotions or actions, "contain yourself" often refers to managing strong emotions like excitement or anger, while "restrain yourself" is a more general term for holding back any impulse or behavior.