keep back

• Rester à distance ou ne pas s'approcher, ou empêcher quelqu'un ou quelque chose de s'approcher ou d'avancer ; peut aussi signifier retenir ou cacher quelque chose, comme une information ou un objet.

To maintain a distance, stay away, or refrain from approaching; also can mean to withhold or retain something, such as information or an object.

1. Retain or holdB1formal

   To keep something in one's possession; not to give or share it.

   garder pour soi

   • She kept back some money for emergencies.
   • The company kept back a portion of the profits for reinvestment.
   • He kept back the details of the plan from his colleagues.

2. Prevent from advancingB1formal

   To stop someone or something from moving forward or approaching.

   tenir à distance

   • The police kept back the crowd from the accident scene.
   • The fence kept back the wild animals from the garden.
   • She kept back her tears during the sad movie.

3. Conceal or hideB2informal

   To not reveal information or emotions; to suppress.

   dissimuler

   • He kept back his true feelings about the decision.
   • She kept back the fact that she had seen the accident.
   • They kept back the news from the public for a few days.