The Open Dictionary

keep something back

Related to word: keep

Phrasal Verb

Definition (conceal)

  1. C2

    to withhold information from someone about a situation or occurrence

    • She chose to keep some information back about his health condition.

    • Regarding the incident, he admitted that there were details he kept back from his family.

    • During the investigation, he didn’t reveal all the information; some he chose to keep back.

Definition (reserve)

  1. to retain part of something by not using it all, leaving some aside for future use

    • She decided to keep some funds back for future use.

    • In the plan, we should keep back some resources for emergencies.

    • He kept back some data in the meeting for future analysis.