The phrase “hold you back” generally means to prevent someone from progressing, achieving their goals, or reaching their full potential. It can refer to external factors, such as people or circumstances that hinder advancement, or internal factors, such as self-doubt or fear that stops someone from pursuing opportunities.
For example:
– In a personal context: If someone has a fear of public speaking, that fear might hold them back from applying for a promotion that requires giving presentations.
– In a professional context: A lack of support from a manager might hold an employee back from taking on new projects that could showcase their skills.
Overall, the phrase conveys the idea of being impeded or restricted in some way.