barely refrain

Frequency: 7.25.1 per million words

To only just manage to stop oneself from doing something.

Back to refrain ADVERB + refrain

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Examples (10)

Priscilla could barely refrain from clapping her hands together.
He could barely refrain from shouting at the rude driver.
She barely refrained from laughing during the serious ceremony.
The children could barely refrain from opening their presents early.
I barely refrained from telling him what I really thought.
He could barely refrain from crying when he heard the news.
She barely refrained from rolling her eyes at his ridiculous comment.
They could barely refrain from dancing when the music started.
I could barely refrain from correcting her obvious mistakes.
He barely refrained from eating the entire cake at once.