WordLens

hold in

1 of 1verb
/ˈhoʊld ɪn/
Forms:holds in,holding in,held in,held in
1

to suppress the expression of one's feelings

transitive
  • She tried to hold in her laughter during the solemn ceremony.
  • He struggled to hold in his anger when faced with unfair criticism.
  • At emotional moments, many people find it challenging to hold their tears in.
  • Despite her disappointment, she held her frustration in.
  • She struggled with holding in her emotions during the difficult conversation.
2

to fit closely to the body

  • The dress was designed to hold in at the waist, creating a flattering silhouette.
  • The Spanx undergarment is popular for its ability to hold in and smooth out the abdomen.
  • The new dress holds in at the waist, creating a flattering look.
  • The jacket I bought last year still held in perfectly at the waist.