To control, restrict, or arrest

• or up)

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• in

  1. Within the limits, bounds, or area of:
  2. From the outside to a point within; into:
  3. To or at a situation or condition of:

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  1. Within the limits, bounds, or area of:
  2. From the outside to a point within; into:
  3. To or at a situation or condition of:

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• rein (back

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• pull in

  1. (literally) To pull something, so that comes inside.
  2. (idiomatic) To arrest.
  3. (idiomatic) To earn [money].

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  1. (literally) To pull something, so that comes inside.
  2. (idiomatic) To arrest.
  3. (idiomatic) To earn [money].

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• keep back

  1. to hold back, refuse to give or share
  2. to restrict or restrain
  3. to prevent (a pupil) to advance in a course

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  1. to hold back, refuse to give or share
  2. to restrict or restrain
  3. to prevent (a pupil) to advance in a course

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• keep

  1. To retain possession of:
  2. To have as a supply:
  3. To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support:

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  1. To retain possession of:
  2. To have as a supply:
  3. To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support:

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• inhibit

  1. To hold back; restrain:
  2. To cause (a person) to behave in a restrained or self-conscious way:
  3. To suppress or restrain (behavior, an impulse, or a desire) consciously or unconsciously.

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  1. To hold back; restrain:
  2. To cause (a person) to behave in a restrained or self-conscious way:
  3. To suppress or restrain (behavior, an impulse, or a desire) consciously or unconsciously.

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• hold in

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• hold down

  1. The act of holding down.
  2. A limit or restraint:
  3. Something, such as a clamp, used to hold an object in place.

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  1. The act of holding down.
  2. A limit or restraint:
  3. Something, such as a clamp, used to hold an object in place.

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• hold back

  1. (idiomatic) to act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power
  2. (idiomatic) to contain; stop
  3. (idiomatic) to delay, especially in school

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  1. (idiomatic) to act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power
  2. (idiomatic) to contain; stop
  3. (idiomatic) to delay, especially in school

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• hold

  1. To have and keep in one's grasp:
  2. To aim or direct; point:
  3. To keep from falling or moving; support:

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  1. To have and keep in one's grasp:
  2. To aim or direct; point:
  3. To keep from falling or moving; support:

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• curb

  1. A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street.
  2. An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight.
  3. A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen.

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  1. A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street.
  2. An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight.
  3. A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen.

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• constrain

  1. To keep within certain limits; confine or limit:
  2. To inhibit or restrain; hold back:
  3. To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige:

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  1. To keep within certain limits; confine or limit:
  2. To inhibit or restrain; hold back:
  3. To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige:

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• check

  1. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee.

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  1. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee.

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• bridle

  1. A harness, consisting of a headstall, bit, and reins, fitted about a horse's head and used to restrain or guide the animal.
  2. A curb or check:
  3. A span of chain, wire, or rope that can be secured at both ends to an object and slung from its center point.

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  1. A harness, consisting of a headstall, bit, and reins, fitted about a horse's head and used to restrain or guide the animal.
  2. A curb or check:
  3. A span of chain, wire, or rope that can be secured at both ends to an object and slung from its center point.

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• brake

  1. A device for slowing or stopping motion, as of a vehicle, especially by contact friction.
  2. Something that slows or stops action.
  3. To reduce the speed of with or as if with a brake.

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  1. A device for slowing or stopping motion, as of a vehicle, especially by contact friction.
  2. Something that slows or stops action.
  3. To reduce the speed of with or as if with a brake.

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• bit

  1. A small portion, degree, or amount:
  2. A brief amount of time; a moment:
  3. A short scene or episode in a theatrical performance.

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  1. A small portion, degree, or amount:
  2. A brief amount of time; a moment:
  3. A short scene or episode in a theatrical performance.

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To hold in check

• put a lid on

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• come-down-on

  1. to punish

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  1. to punish

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• sit on

  1. (idiomatic) To block, suppress, restrain.
  2. (idiomatic, informal) To restrain (a person).

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  1. (idiomatic) To block, suppress, restrain.
  2. (idiomatic, informal) To restrain (a person).

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• stifle

  1. To interrupt or cut off (the voice, for example).
  2. To keep in or hold back; repress:
  3. To kill by preventing respiration; smother or suffocate.

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  1. To interrupt or cut off (the voice, for example).
  2. To keep in or hold back; repress:
  3. To kill by preventing respiration; smother or suffocate.

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• contain

  1. To have within; hold:
  2. To be capable of holding:
  3. To have as a component or constituent part; include:

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  1. To have within; hold:
  2. To be capable of holding:
  3. To have as a component or constituent part; include:

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• pull back

  1. Used other than as an idiom. To pull in a backwards direction
  2. To retreat
  3. To retract

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  1. Used other than as an idiom. To pull in a backwards direction
  2. To retreat
  3. To retract

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• choke back

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• crack-down

  1. (idiomatic) To enforce more stringently or more thoroughly.

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  1. (idiomatic) To enforce more stringently or more thoroughly.

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• pin-down

  1. To attach or secure with pins.
  2. (idiomatic) To identify something (e.g. a decision or plan) clearly or specifically.
  3. (wrestling) To hold the opponent back-first so both his or her shoulders touch the mat.

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  1. To attach or secure with pins.
  2. (idiomatic) To identify something (e.g. a decision or plan) clearly or specifically.
  3. (wrestling) To hold the opponent back-first so both his or her shoulders touch the mat.

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• tie down

  1. to constrain, or to confine within set limits.
  2. to secure as if with a rope or hook.

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  1. to constrain, or to confine within set limits.
  2. to secure as if with a rope or hook.

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• bottle-up

  1. Put into bottles
  2. Prevent enemy vessels of leaving an anchorage
  3. (idiomatic) Keep suppressed and hidden

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  1. Put into bottles
  2. Prevent enemy vessels of leaving an anchorage
  3. (idiomatic) Keep suppressed and hidden

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• impound

  1. To confine in or as if in a pound:
  2. To place (something) in legal custody until a dispute involving it is decided:
  3. To set aside in a fund rather than spend as prescribed:

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  1. To confine in or as if in a pound:
  2. To place (something) in legal custody until a dispute involving it is decided:
  3. To set aside in a fund rather than spend as prescribed:

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• limit

  1. The point, edge, or line beyond which something ends, may not go, or is not allowed:
  2. The boundary surrounding a specific area; bounds:
  3. Something that restricts or restrains; a restraint:

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  1. The point, edge, or line beyond which something ends, may not go, or is not allowed:
  2. The boundary surrounding a specific area; bounds:
  3. Something that restricts or restrains; a restraint:

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• gag

  1. Something forced into or put over the mouth to prevent speaking or crying out.
  2. An obstacle to or a censoring of free speech.
  3. A device placed in the mouth to keep it open, as in dentistry.

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  1. Something forced into or put over the mouth to prevent speaking or crying out.
  2. An obstacle to or a censoring of free speech.
  3. A device placed in the mouth to keep it open, as in dentistry.

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• stay

  1. To continue to be in a place or condition:
  2. To remain or sojourn as a guest or lodger:
  3. To linger or wait in order to do or experience something:

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  1. To continue to be in a place or condition:
  2. To remain or sojourn as a guest or lodger:
  3. To linger or wait in order to do or experience something:

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• restrict

  1. To keep or confine within physical limits:
  2. To prevent or prohibit beyond a certain limit or by restriction:

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  1. To keep or confine within physical limits:
  2. To prevent or prohibit beyond a certain limit or by restriction:

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• constrain

  1. To keep within certain limits; confine or limit:
  2. To inhibit or restrain; hold back:
  3. To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige:

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  1. To keep within certain limits; confine or limit:
  2. To inhibit or restrain; hold back:
  3. To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige:

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• hamper

  1. To prevent the free movement, action, or progress of:
  2. Necessary but encumbering equipment on a ship.

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  1. To prevent the free movement, action, or progress of:
  2. Necessary but encumbering equipment on a ship.

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• hold back

  1. (idiomatic) to act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power
  2. (idiomatic) to contain; stop
  3. (idiomatic) to delay, especially in school

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  1. (idiomatic) to act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power
  2. (idiomatic) to contain; stop
  3. (idiomatic) to delay, especially in school

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• hold in

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• deter

  1. To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt:
  2. To prevent or discourage (an action or behavior):
  3. To make less likely or prevent from happening:

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  1. To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt:
  2. To prevent or discourage (an action or behavior):
  3. To make less likely or prevent from happening:

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• bind

  1. To tie or secure, as with a rope or cord.
  2. To hold or restrain by tying with rope or bonds:
  3. To fasten or wrap by encircling, as with a belt or ribbon:

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  1. To tie or secure, as with a rope or cord.
  2. To hold or restrain by tying with rope or bonds:
  3. To fasten or wrap by encircling, as with a belt or ribbon:

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• hold

  1. To have and keep in one's grasp:
  2. To aim or direct; point:
  3. To keep from falling or moving; support:

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  1. To have and keep in one's grasp:
  2. To aim or direct; point:
  3. To keep from falling or moving; support:

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• govern

  1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of (a state, for example); exercise sovereign authority over.
  2. To control the speed or magnitude of; regulate:
  3. To control the actions or behavior of:

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  1. To make and administer the public policy and affairs of (a state, for example); exercise sovereign authority over.
  2. To control the speed or magnitude of; regulate:
  3. To control the actions or behavior of:

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• hold in leash

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• keep a rein on

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• fetter

  1. A device, usually one of a pair of rings connected to a chain, that is attached to the ankles or feet to restrict movement.
  2. Something that serves to restrict; a restraint:
  3. To put fetters on; shackle.

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  1. A device, usually one of a pair of rings connected to a chain, that is attached to the ankles or feet to restrict movement.
  2. Something that serves to restrict; a restraint:
  3. To put fetters on; shackle.

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• chain

  1. A connected, flexible series of links, typically of metal, used especially for holding objects together, for restraining, or for transmitting mechanical power.
  2. Such a set of links, often of precious metal and with pendants attached, worn as an ornament or symbol of office.
  3. Such a set of links measuring ten yards and attached to a pole at each end, moved up and down the field to indicate necessary yardage for gaining a first down.

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  1. A connected, flexible series of links, typically of metal, used especially for holding objects together, for restraining, or for transmitting mechanical power.
  2. Such a set of links, often of precious metal and with pendants attached, worn as an ornament or symbol of office.
  3. Such a set of links measuring ten yards and attached to a pole at each end, moved up and down the field to indicate necessary yardage for gaining a first down.

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• tether

  1. A rope, chain, strap, or cord for keeping an animal within a certain radius.
  2. A similar ropelike restraint used as a safety measure, as for a young child or an astronaut outside a spacecraft.
  3. A rope, chain, cable, or other line for restraining or securing an object:

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  1. A rope, chain, strap, or cord for keeping an animal within a certain radius.
  2. A similar ropelike restraint used as a safety measure, as for a young child or an astronaut outside a spacecraft.
  3. A rope, chain, cable, or other line for restraining or securing an object:

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• muzzle

  1. The forward, projecting part of the head of certain animals, such as dogs, including the mouth, nose, and jaws; the snout.
  2. A device that is fitted over an animal's snout, often used to prevent biting or eating.
  3. The forward, discharging end of the barrel of a firearm.

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  1. The forward, projecting part of the head of certain animals, such as dogs, including the mouth, nose, and jaws; the snout.
  2. A device that is fitted over an animal's snout, often used to prevent biting or eating.
  3. The forward, discharging end of the barrel of a firearm.

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• harness

  1. The gear or tackle, other than a yoke, with which a draft animal pulls a vehicle or implement.
  2. Something resembling such gear or tackle, as the arrangement of straps used to hold a parachute to the body.
  3. A device that raises and lowers the warp threads on a loom.

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  1. The gear or tackle, other than a yoke, with which a draft animal pulls a vehicle or implement.
  2. Something resembling such gear or tackle, as the arrangement of straps used to hold a parachute to the body.
  3. A device that raises and lowers the warp threads on a loom.

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• repress

  1. To hold back or prevent by an act of volition:
  2. To put down or subdue by force:
  3. To end, limit, or restrain, as by intimidation or other action:

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  1. To hold back or prevent by an act of volition:
  2. To put down or subdue by force:
  3. To end, limit, or restrain, as by intimidation or other action:

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• keep-from

  1. To prevent or restrain (oneself or another); refrain or cause refrain.
  2. To protect or preserve from.

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  1. To prevent or restrain (oneself or another); refrain or cause refrain.
  2. To protect or preserve from.

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• keep-down

  1. To repress.
  2. To restrain or control (a sound).
  3. To cause not to increase or rise.

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  1. To repress.
  2. To restrain or control (a sound).
  3. To cause not to increase or rise.

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• direct

  1. To manage or regulate the business or affairs of; be in charge of:
  2. To supervise or oversee (an activity or process):
  3. To give guidance and instruction to (actors or musicians, for example) in the rehearsal and performance of a work.

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  1. To manage or regulate the business or affairs of; be in charge of:
  2. To supervise or oversee (an activity or process):
  3. To give guidance and instruction to (actors or musicians, for example) in the rehearsal and performance of a work.

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• guide

  1. One who shows the way by leading, directing, or advising.
  2. One who serves as a model for others, as in a course of conduct.
  3. A person employed to conduct others, as through a museum, and give information about points of interest encountered.

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  1. One who shows the way by leading, directing, or advising.
  2. One who serves as a model for others, as in a course of conduct.
  3. A person employed to conduct others, as through a museum, and give information about points of interest encountered.

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• keep in line

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• regulate

  1. To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.
  2. To adjust to a particular specification or requirement:
  3. To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.

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  1. To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.
  2. To adjust to a particular specification or requirement:
  3. To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.

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• handle

  1. To touch, lift, or hold with the hands:
  2. To operate with the hands; manipulate:
  3. To deal with or have responsibility for; conduct:

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  1. To touch, lift, or hold with the hands:
  2. To operate with the hands; manipulate:
  3. To deal with or have responsibility for; conduct:

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• keep-in

  1. Used other than as an idiom: see keep,‎ in.
  2. To require a pupil to stay after school as a punishment.
  3. to stay blazing (of a fire)

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  1. Used other than as an idiom: see keep,‎ in.
  2. To require a pupil to stay after school as a punishment.
  3. to stay blazing (of a fire)

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• suppress

  1. To put an end to forcibly; subdue:
  2. To curtail or prohibit the activities of:
  3. To keep from being revealed, published, or circulated:

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  1. To put an end to forcibly; subdue:
  2. To curtail or prohibit the activities of:
  3. To keep from being revealed, published, or circulated:

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• inhibit

  1. To hold back; restrain:
  2. To cause (a person) to behave in a restrained or self-conscious way:
  3. To suppress or restrain (behavior, an impulse, or a desire) consciously or unconsciously.

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  1. To hold back; restrain:
  2. To cause (a person) to behave in a restrained or self-conscious way:
  3. To suppress or restrain (behavior, an impulse, or a desire) consciously or unconsciously.

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• rein-in

  1. Alternative spelling of rein in.
  2. To stop or slow a horse by pulling the reins
  3. (idiomatic) To stop or slow something, by exercising control.

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  1. Alternative spelling of rein in.
  2. To stop or slow a horse by pulling the reins
  3. (idiomatic) To stop or slow something, by exercising control.

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• bridle

  1. A harness, consisting of a headstall, bit, and reins, fitted about a horse's head and used to restrain or guide the animal.
  2. A curb or check:
  3. A span of chain, wire, or rope that can be secured at both ends to an object and slung from its center point.

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  1. A harness, consisting of a headstall, bit, and reins, fitted about a horse's head and used to restrain or guide the animal.
  2. A curb or check:
  3. A span of chain, wire, or rope that can be secured at both ends to an object and slung from its center point.

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• curb

  1. A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street.
  2. An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight.
  3. A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen.

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  1. A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street.
  2. An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight.
  3. A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen.

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• control

  1. To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over; direct:
  2. To adjust to a requirement; regulate:
  3. To hold in restraint; check:

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  1. To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over; direct:
  2. To adjust to a requirement; regulate:
  3. To hold in restraint; check:

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• check

  1. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee.

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  1. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee. A piece of paper that is a negotiable instrument drawn on a bank and payable on demand to the person identified as the payee.

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To restrict

• delimit

  1. To establish the limits or boundaries of; demarcate.

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  1. To establish the limits or boundaries of; demarcate.

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• circumscribe

  1. to trace a line around; encircle; encompass
  2. to set or mark off the limits of; limit; confine
  3. to restrict the action of; restrain

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  1. to trace a line around; encircle; encompass
  2. to set or mark off the limits of; limit; confine
  3. to restrict the action of; restrain

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• limit

  1. The point, edge, or line beyond which something ends, may not go, or is not allowed:
  2. The boundary surrounding a specific area; bounds:
  3. Something that restricts or restrains; a restraint:

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  1. The point, edge, or line beyond which something ends, may not go, or is not allowed:
  2. The boundary surrounding a specific area; bounds:
  3. Something that restricts or restrains; a restraint:

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