[Vocabulary] "Hold back"?

[wotcha]

What does 'hold back' mean?

Does it mean 'stop'? or 'wait'?


???

 

[SoothingDave]

Context?

 

[wotcha]

Context?

ROK Embassy diplomats describe Japan's decision to mention the Liancourt Rocks in educational documents as "explosive." Officials in Seoul felt "betrayed" by the move, especially after ROK President Lee Myung-bak directly appealed to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to "hold back" on the textbook issue at their summit on the margins of the Hokkaido Lake Toya G8 meeting. According to the Embassy, the textbook controversy could have a "serious impact" on the ROK's foreign policy with Tokyo, casting doubt on Seoul's participation in the Japan-ROK-PRC summit, and has the potential to affect South Korea's participation in the Six-Party Talks process. Media and academic contacts note conservative Diet politicians influenced PM Fukuda's position, which appears to have been crafted by Chief Cabinet Secretary Machimura and based on complex internal party politics. End Summary.


Thanks!

 

[SoothingDave]

I would read it more as a "wait." I am sure some of the parties would prefer it be a "never" issue, but they are asking for it to be a "not now" issue.

 

[wotcha]

hmmm......that answer is not what I expected .....(haha..but thank you so much though ^^)

 

[BobK]

Even in that context it's ambiguous. It could either mean that they don't mention the issue at all ('hold off' would be clearer, if so) or it could mean that they don't advance their argument as vehemently as some would like - they do mention it, but they don't 'make a big thing of it'.

b