hold it in
"Hold it in" is often used to describe the act of suppressing emotions or bodily functions to avoid discomfort or embarrassment.
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Definition
B2Emotional
(informal)To suppress or restrain emotions from being expressed.
Example
- She tried to hold it in, but eventually, she burst into tears.
- It's not healthy to always hold it in; sometimes you need to express your feelings.
B2Physical
(informal)To prevent oneself from urinating or defecating despite physical urgency.
Example
- He had to hold it in until they found a rest stop.
- Holding it in for too long can be uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "hold it in":
hold ithold inhold it downhold withhold tohold downhold ontohold tighthold the phonehold overhold onhold one's pisshold the ringhold one's peehold togetherhang tighthold onto your hathold one's breathhold one's waterkeep inhold backtake holdhang onhold timeon holdhold one's jawhold uphold outhold the stagehold the forthold my beerhold offsuck inhold firelay hold ofbite downpress downhold in contempt