1 B1 neutral
To prevent a person or crowd from moving forward.
"Police officers formed a line to keep back the crowd as the president's motorcade passed."
separable
keep back
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To prevent someone or something from moving forward, or to withhold information, money, or emotions.
In plain English
To stop someone from coming closer, or to not share something like information or feelings.
What does "keep back" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To withhold information, facts, or feelings from someone.
"I could tell she was keeping something back — she wouldn't look me in the eye."
separable
3 B2 neutral
To reserve a portion of money or resources.
"The landlord kept back part of the deposit to cover the cost of repairs."
separable
4 B2 idiomatic neutral
To struggle to suppress or hold back an emotion.
"She kept back her tears until she was safely out of the room."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To prevent someone or something from moving forward.
Actually means
To stop someone from coming closer, or to not share something like information or feelings.
Usage tip
Has both a physical sense (preventing movement) and an abstract sense (withholding information or feelings). In financial contexts, it means to reserve a portion. In crowd control, security or police 'keep back' people. Also used for suppressing emotions.
Words that pair with "keep back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
crowd tears information money funds details emotions
How to conjugate "keep back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
keep back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps back
he/she/it
Past simple
kept back
yesterday
Past participle
kept back
have + pp
-ing form
keeping back
continuous
Hear "keep back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "keep back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "keep back"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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