hold in
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To stop yourself from showing a feeling or reaction, like laughter or tears.
Literal meaning: To keep something physically inside — transparent for bodily functions; idiomatic for emotions.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To suppress or hide an emotion, preventing it from being expressed outwardly.
"She struggled to hold in her laughter during the serious meeting."
Grammar: separable
2 B2 informal
To suck in or tighten the stomach muscles so the abdomen appears flatter.
"He held his stomach in as she walked past, trying to look slimmer."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common for emotions (laughter, tears, anger) and for physical urges (breath, stomach). Very similar to 'hold back' but implies internal containment rather than external restraint. The reflexive 'hold yourself in' is also used.
Commonly used with
laughter tears breath anger emotion feelings stomach
Forms
Base
hold in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
holds in
he/she/it
Past simple
held in
yesterday
Past participle
held in
have + pp
-ing form
holding in
continuous
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