hold someone back

hold back这个短语的用法其实很广泛，意思也会根据上下文不同而稍有偏差，但是中心都是围绕着“阻碍、拖延、停滞”之类的。当意思是“阻止(某人或某物)前进:阻止(某人或某物)前进到下一个水平、等级或阶段”时，常在hold和back中间加上代词或名词。

to prevent someone or something from changing, moving, or developing

阻止某人或某物改变、前进或发展

She might have been more successful, but bad health held her back.

她本可以更成功些，但是她不佳的身体状况拖累了她。

She felt that having children would hold her back.

她觉得生孩子会阻碍她的发展。