withhold

Everyday

1. To keep something back and refuse to give it: «withhold information» means not telling something you know. tree →
2. To hold back a payment or reward: «The shop withheld his pay until the work was finished.» tree →
3. (money) To take part of someone's pay for tax before they get it. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and stories, withholding the truth or help is often a sign of a secret or of punishment. In safety: an adult should never ask a child to withhold (keep secret) something that makes them feel unsafe. In money and law: tax is withheld from wages. Phrases: «withhold information», «withhold payment», «withhold your name», «withheld number».

Examples

• The detective thought the butler was withholding something. tree →
• Please do not withhold information that could help find the lost dog. tree →
• The phone screen said «number withheld». tree →
• The teacher withheld the prize until everyone had tidied up. tree →
• The company withheld part of his wages for tax. tree →
• She withheld her smile until the judges had finished. tree →
• If someone asks you to keep a secret that worries you, do not withhold it from a trusted adult. tree →
• “Lady,” he pleaded, “you will surely not withhold information from the Ard-Ri’?” tree →

Note

Irregular: withhold, withheld, withheld (like «hold, held»). Spelled with two h's: with + hold. Formal-ish word; everyday words are «keep back», «hold back», «not tell». Noun: withholding.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life and stories, withholding the truth or help is often a sign of a secret or of punishment. In safety: an adult should never ask a child to withhold (keep secret) something that makes them feel unsafe. In money and law: tax is withheld from wages. Phrases: «withhold information», «withhold payment», «withhold your name», «withheld number».

Examples

• 'Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us; in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.' (Torah GEN.23.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• If it is read as one word, it must be the action noun of בָּלַם balam 'to restrain, withhold, keep (from)'; see SY 1:8. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
• But who can withhold himself from speaking? (Writings JOB.4.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.' (Prophets 2SA.13.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Withhold not correction from the child; for though thou beat him with the rod, he will not die. (Writings PRO.23.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Irregular: withhold, withheld, withheld (like «hold, held»). Spelled with two h's: with + hold. Formal-ish word; everyday words are «keep back», «hold back», «not tell». Noun: withholding.