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refrain

Definition

verb: to stop yourself from doing something that you want to do
verb: to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and especially from following a passing impulse
usually + 'from'
synonyms: curb, restrain, govern

Examples

A common/familiar 'refrain' among teachers these days is that the schools need more funding.
She 'refrained from' saying what she truly felt.
I was going to make a joke but I 'refrained'.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

(..) should- should- should, should, should- - Shh. - Should- should- should- Not too much fun, all right? I already gave my big sexual harassment speech today. And please refrain from discussing or engaging... in any sort of interoffice- Or- fisting or- Or even- even though (..)
2004 TvShow: Arrested Development Title: Afternoon Delight Season: 2 Episode 6