Meaning & use
holdbacks
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“holdbacks” is a form of “holdback”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountablebusinessfinance
amounts of money kept back from a payment, often until a job is completed or a condition is met
Grammar: Usually used in the plural; a single one is 'a holdback'.
Patterns
- holdbacks on something
- holdbacks from a payment
The builder agreed to 10% holdbacks until the final inspection.
The contract includes holdbacks for any unfinished work.
nouncountablebusiness
items or stock that are kept back from sale or from being shown
Grammar: Often used in retail contexts; usually plural.
Patterns
- holdbacks of something
- holdbacks in a store
The store's holdbacks include damaged goods and seasonal items.
We keep holdbacks in the back room until the sale starts.
Word forms
| singular | holdback |
|---|
Common combinations
- holdback amount
- The holdback amount is 5% of the total contract.
- holdback period
- The holdback period lasts for 30 days after completion.
- release holdbacks
- The client will release holdbacks once the work is approved.
Synonyms and how they differ
- retention
- More formal and common in legal and construction contracts; it means the same as 'holdback' in that context.
- reserve
- A sum of money set aside for a specific purpose; broader than 'holdback'.
Opposites
Word family
- hold back phrasal verb
- To prevent from advancing or to keep something for later.
Commonly confused: holdbacks or hold up?
holdbacks vs hold up
'Hold up' means to delay or to rob, while 'holdback' is a noun for money or items kept back.
Practice
The contract specifies that ______ will be paid after the project is finished.
Choose one answer.
'Holdbacks' is the correct plural noun here. 'Holdback' is singular and would need 'a' or 'the'; 'holding back' is a verb phrase, and 'hold back' is a phrasal verb, not a noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “holdbacks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.