Hold back or hold back on
Is it "to hold back one's emotions/feelings" or "to hold back on one's emotions/feelings"?
If both are possible, do they mean the same thing?
If so, which would you use?
Also, are there other ways to express this concept?
Thank you.
Top answer
"Hold back on one's feelings" is not used in American English. "Hold back one's feelings" is possible but not frequently used. The problem here is that the verb "hold back" has strong connotations in other contexts, like: hold back the tide/the student (that is, make him repeat a grade).
- "Hold back on one's feelings" is not used in American English.
- "Hold back one's feelings" is possible but not frequently used.
- The problem here is that the verb "hold back" has strong connotations in other contexts, like: hold back the tide/the student (that is, make him repeat a grade).
- You'd more likely hear: hide one's feelings (but not hide one's emotions).
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"Hold back on one's feelings" is not used in American English.
"Hold back one's feelings" is possible but not frequently used. The problem here is that the verb "hold back" has strong connotations in other contexts, like: hold back the tide/the student (that is, make him repeat a grade).
You'd more likely hear: hide one's feelings (but not hide one's emotions).
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